variants or less commonly smokey
smokier; smokiest
Synonyms of smokynext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hot, smoky conditions forced residents in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano to flee and created traffic gridlock from Orange County to Oceanside as the key north-south highway was impacted by multiple fires just miles apart. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 The standout pairing is the Black Cardamom cocktail, smoky with single malt and mezcal, next to Sandhu's nihari reworked with compressed shank meat. — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 Incense fragrances come in many forms, from intense and smoky to delicate and almost ethereal. — Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 Blister them in a hot skillet until smoky, slow-cook them until silky, toss them with a creamy dressing, or bake them under a blanket of mushrooms and crispy onions. — Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smoky

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smoky was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smoky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smoky. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

smoky

adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on smoky

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