smoke
/sməʊk/ (bre, ipa) · /sməʊk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsmōk/ (ame, mw) · /smoʊk/ (ame, ipa)
smoke — noun
- smokesingular
- smokesplural
1. The cloud of tiny solid particles mixed with gases that you see rising from a fi
The cloud of tiny solid particles mixed with gases that you see rising from a fire or another burning material.
Thick black smoke rose from the burning building as firefighters arrived.
collocation: thick smoke / black smoke
Salma opened the kitchen window to let the smoke from the burnt toast escape.
Smoke from the factory chimney drifted across the neighbourhood all afternoon.
The smoke detector went off when grey smoke filled the kitchen.
Campfire smoke stung Eli's eyes and made him cough.
文法句型
the + smoke + of + noun
smoke + from + noun
2. An occasion when someone breathes smoke from a cigarette, pipe, or cigar into th
An occasion when someone breathes smoke from a cigarette, pipe, or cigar into the mouth and lungs, usually for enjoyment.
Christopher decided to have a smoke after finishing his lunch.
collocation: have a smoke
The sign on the wall clearly said no smoking inside the building.
Sana went outside for a quick smoke during the break between meetings.
Studies show that smoking causes serious damage to the lungs over time.
Nellie tried to give up smoking several times before she finally succeeded.
文法句型
have + a + smoke
go for + a + smoke
用法筆記
The gerund 'smoking' is far more common than the count noun 'a smoke.' Use 'have a smoke' or 'go for a smoke' in informal conversation.
3. A thin paper tube filled with cut tobacco that people light and burn to inhale t
A thin paper tube filled with cut tobacco that people light and burn to inhale the smoke, especially when offered for sale or requested from someone else.
Hassan asked if anyone had a smoke he could borrow.
informal: 'a smoke' = a cigarette
Bilal bought a pack of smokes at the corner shop on his way home.
plural: smokes
Min put out his smoke in the glass ashtray before entering the office.
The price of a pack of smokes has gone up twice this year.
Rafael offered his colleague a smoke from the pack he had just opened.
- cigarette
the standard formal term for the same object
文法句型
a + smoke
a pack of + smokes
用法筆記
Informal. In writing or formal speech, use 'cigarette' instead of 'smoke.' The plural 'smokes' (a pack of smokes) is very common in everyday conversation.
4. A very large city, especially London, referred to informally with the definite a
A very large city, especially London, referred to informally with the definite article 'the.'
After ten years living in the Smoke, Camille moved back to her home town.
the Smoke = London (British informal)
The trains from our village only go into the Smoke twice a day.
Young people from all over the country move to the Smoke looking for better jobs.
Sari had always dreamed of living in the Smoke and working in a theatre.
Soraya took the morning train to the Smoke for a publishing job interview.
- the big city
more general; not specific to London
文法句型
the + Smoke
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the' — 'the Smoke' (capital S when referring specifically to London). This is informal British and Australian English. Not used in American English.
5. Something that has no real value, substance, or lasting importance — like promis
Something that has no real value, substance, or lasting importance — like promises that turn out to be empty or arguments based on false ideas.
The politician's grand promises turned out to be nothing but smoke.
nothing but smoke = empty promises
Their business plan was all smoke and no solid financial foundation.
Nkechi realised that most of the rumours were just smoke with no facts behind them.
All those awards counted for little and vanished like smoke when the company closed.
The deal was smoke from the start and the investors never had any real money.
- substance
the quality of having real content or value
文法句型
nothing but + smoke
smoke and + mirrors
用法筆記
Rarely used as a bare noun. Almost always appears in fixed or semi-fixed phrases: 'nothing but smoke,' 'vanish like smoke,' or 'smoke and mirrors.'
6. A slang term for the drug marijuana, made from dried cannabis leaves and flowers
A slang term for the drug marijuana, made from dried cannabis leaves and flowers, usually smoked for its effects.
The police found a small amount of smoke in the back seat during the search.
slang: smoke = marijuana
Some people use smoke to help them relax, though it is illegal in many places.
Sofia could smell the sweet skunky smell of smoke coming from the apartment next door.
The musician was arrested for possession of smoke at the airport.
The laws around recreational marijuana smoke have changed in several countries in recent years.
文法句型
smell + smoke
possession of + smoke
用法筆記
Informal slang. In writing, context must make the meaning clear ('possession of smoke' vs 'smoke from a fire'). The more formal terms are 'marijuana' or 'cannabis.'
smoke — verb
- smokepresent simple I / you / we / they
- smokes3rd person singular
- smoking-ing form
- smokedpast simple
1. To draw smoke from a burning cigarette, pipe, or cigar into your mouth and lungs
To draw smoke from a burning cigarette, pipe, or cigar into your mouth and lungs and then blow it out again, typically as a habit or for enjoyment.
Sofia stood outside the office and smoked a cigarette while waiting for her ride.
transitive: smoke + [tobacco product]
The doctor told Hassan that if he smoked he should try to quit.
Min used to smoke a pipe after dinner but gave it up two years ago.
Sora sat outside the restaurant, inhaled his cigarette smoke, and blew it into the cold air.
Nkechi could see her father smoking on the balcony when she got home.
文法句型
smoke + noun (cigarette, pipe, cigar)
smoke (no object)
常見錯誤
2. To send out or release smoke, usually because something is burning, overheating,
To send out or release smoke, usually because something is burning, overheating, or has a mechanical fault.
The old engine started to smoke and make strange noises before it stopped.
intransitive: engine / machine + smoke
Eli realised the wiring was faulty when he saw smoke rising from the socket.
The factory chimney smoked heavily all day covering the town in a grey haze.
If your car brakes start smoking you should pull over immediately.
The candles smoked a little when Min first blew them out.
- give off smoke
more explicit; phrasal verb
- emit smoke
more formal and technical
文法句型
noun (engine, chimney) + smokes
start + smoking
用法筆記
The subject is typically a machine, engine, chimney, or fire — not a person. This sense is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
3. To hang food over a smouldering wood fire so the smoke dries it and adds flavour
To hang food over a smouldering wood fire so the smoke dries it and adds flavour — a method often used for salmon, ham, or cheese.
The fishermen smoke their catch over cherry wood to give it a rich flavour.
transitive: smoke + [food] + over [wood]
Christopher ordered a salad with smoked salmon and fresh herbs.
In the mountains people have smoked meat for centuries to keep it from spoiling.
Salma bought some smoked cheese from the market and ate it with crackers.
The family used to smoke their own bacon in a small shed behind the house.
- cure
broader; includes salting, drying, and other preservation methods
- preserve by smoking
more explicit; explanatory
文法句型
smoke + noun (meat, fish, cheese)
smoked + noun (salmon, ham)
用法筆記
The past participle 'smoked' is very commonly used as an adjective in food names — 'smoked salmon,' 'smoked cheese,' 'smoked ham,' 'smoked bacon.'