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

Then there are the few that can transport to a different space entirely, evoking everything from polished hotel lobbies to lush rainforests, hidden gardens, and even smoky campfires. —Alexandra Ditch, Vogue, 7 Dec. 2025

The grits were rich and cheesy, and the shrimp nicely smoky. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Dec. 2025

Known to waft through yoga studios and spas, the smoky scents are also a fixture of the wellness world, and those in the beauty biz have a healthy appreciation for it, too. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 5 Dec. 2025

So each bite is sweet, savory, spicy, smoky, chewy, and crunchy. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025

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