Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Smoky

Smok′y

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Smokier
;
sup
erl.
Smokiest
.]
1.
Emitting smoke, esp. in large quantities or in an offensive manner; fumid;
as,
smoky
fires
.
2.
Having the appearance or nature of smoke;
as, a
smoky
fog
.
“Unlustrous as the smoky light.”
Shak.
3.
Filled with smoke, or with a vapor resembling smoke; thick;
as, a
smoky
atmosphere
.
4.
Subject to be filled with smoke from chimneys or fireplace;
as, a
smoky
house
.
5.
Tarnished with smoke; noisome with smoke;
as,
smoky
rafters;
smoky
cells.
6.
Suspicious; open to suspicion.
[Obs.]
Foote.
Smoky quartz
(Min.)
,
a variety of quartz crystal of a pale to dark smoky-brown color. See
Quartz
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Smoky

SMO'KY

,
Adj.
1.
Emitting smoke; fumid; as smoky fires.
2.
Having the appearance or nature of smoke; as a smoky fog.
3.
Filled with smoke, or with a vapor resembling it; thick. New England in autumn frequently has a smoky atmosphere.
4.
Subject to be filled with smoke from the chimneys or fire-places; as a smoky house.
5.
Tarnished with smoke; noisome with smoke; as smoky rafters; smoky cells.

Definition 2024


smoky

smoky

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

smoky (comparative smokier, superlative smokiest)

  1. Filled with or giving off smoke.
    • 2013 August 3, Yesterday’s fuel”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8847:
      The dawn of the oil age was fairly recent. Although the stuff was used to waterproof boats in the Middle East 6,000 years ago, extracting it in earnest began only in 1859 after an oil strike in Pennsylvania. [] It was used to make kerosene, the main fuel for artificial lighting after overfishing led to a shortage of whale blubber. Other liquids produced in the refining process, too unstable or smoky for lamplight, were burned or dumped.
  2. Of a colour or colour pattern similar to that of smoke.
    • 2014, Janet Mock, Redefining Realness
      The saleswomen, with their all-black ensembles and smoky eyelids, were as open and affirming as the sight of RuPaul's spread legs in the Viva Glam lipstick ads.
  3. Having a flavour like smoke.
  4. (music, informal) Having a dark, thick, bass sound.
    a few smoky jazz notes
  5. (obsolete) Suspicious; open to suspicion.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Foote to this entry?)

Derived terms

Translations