smoky

adjective

ˈsmō-kē 

variants or less commonly smokey

smokier; smokiest

1

: emitting smoke especially in large quantities

a smoky fireplace

2

a

: having the characteristics of or resembling smoke

a smoky haze

b

: suggestive of smoke especially in flavor or odor

3

a

: filled with smoke

a smoky room

b

: made dark or black by or as if by smoke

4

: having a low throaty quality

a smoky voice

smokily

ˈsmō-kə-lē 

adverb

smokiness

ˈsmō-kē-nəs 

noun

Examples of smoky in a Sentence

Her dress was a smoky blue.

Her smoky voice drew me in.

She gave him a smoky look.

Recent Examples on the Web

Diaz, who has returned to the red carpet circuit in recent weeks while promoting her new Apple TV+ film Outcome, accentuated her features with a deep mauve lip color, a soft smoky eyeshadow, and sculpted cheeks. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026

Her makeup, on the other hand, is entirely modern with a lightly smoky eye, nude-pink lips, and the wispiest, fluttery lashes imaginable. —Marci Robin, Allure, 15 Mar. 2026

Delicate Southern field peas pair perfectly with smoky ham hocks for an old-school veggie side. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

The whiskey slips into the glaze with warmth and a faint smoky edge, balancing the brown sugar and giving the whole thing a little swagger. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing smoky

• smoky quartz
• smoky topaz

Rhymes for smoky

• cloche
• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• karaoke

Kids Definition

smoky

adjective

variants also smokey

ˈsmō-kē 

smokier; smokiest

1

: giving off smoke especially in large quantities

smoky stoves

2

: resembling or suggestive of smoke

a smoky flavor

3

: filled with or darkened by smoke

a smoky room

smokily

-kə-lē 

adverb

smokiness

-kē-nəs 

noun