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

Ask for ash platinum blonde for an edgy icy or smoky color that’s cooler than harsh yellow platinum. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

Her makeup, however, went dark to add contrast to the white dress and hair, with bold brows and smoky, shadowed eyes. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

Other highlights include The Joyce’s Aperol and Sarti spritzes for $12 on Miami Beach and Bar Moxy’s $10 menu in Wynwood, which includes the Lalo apple cider margarita and a smoky maple sour with mezcal. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

And in a succession of 11 guys (many sporting a striking smoky eye), the jackets were worn sliding down the body, half drooping off the torso, with one shoulder covered and the other exposed. — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 25 Sep. 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