smoky

/ˈsməʊki/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsməʊki/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsmō-kē/ (ame, mw)

smoky — adjective

  • smokypositive
  • smokiercomparative
  • smokiestsuperlative

1. A smoky place has smoke in the air, usually because of a fire, a burning object,

1.形容詞B1
釋義

A smoky place has smoke in the air, usually because of a fire, a burning object, or someone smoking.

例句

Asher walked into a smoky kitchen where the toast had burned.

smoky + noun (kitchen) — describing a room affected by smoke

The old pub was so smoky that Yumi's eyes began to water.

so smoky that... — result clause showing intensity

同義詞
  • hazy

    less specific than smoky — hazy air can come from smoke, mist, or dust; smoky almost always involves fire or burning

  • sooty

    more specific — sooty surfaces are covered with black carbon residue from smoke, whereas smoky describes the air itself

  • foggy

    different cause — foggy means thick with water vapour, not smoke

反義詞
  • airy

    a space that is open and lets fresh air circulate freely

  • fresh

    clean, pure air with no smoke or other pollutants

用法筆記

Most often describes indoor spaces affected by cigarettes, cooking fires, or wildfires. Frequently carries a negative connotation of discomfort or poor air quality.

常見錯誤

❌The room was smoky with fog this morning.
✅The room was foggy this morning.
💡smoky refers specifically to smoke from burning, not to mist or water vapour.

2. Something that is smoky has a taste, smell, or colour that is similar to smoke,

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Something that is smoky has a taste, smell, or colour that is similar to smoke, such as the flavour of grilled food or a greyish paint.

例句

Beatriz enjoyed the smoky flavour of the grilled cheese on her pizza.

smoky + flavour — food taste resembling smoke

The tea had a smoky aroma that reminded Élise of a campfire in the mountains.

smoky + aroma — describing a drink scent

同義詞
  • smoked

    different meaning — smoked food has been deliberately treated with smoke for preservation or flavour; smoky describes a resemblance in taste or smell regardless of how it was produced

  • peaty

    narrower — only used for whisky and describes flavour from peat fire; smoky covers a wider range of foods and drinks

  • charred

    different — charred means burned on the surface, while smoky is about the smell or flavour resemblance, not burning

反義詞
  • unsmoked

    describes food that has not been treated with smoke, like unsmoked bacon

  • mild

    a gentle flavour without the strong, bold character of smoke

用法筆記

Most frequent in descriptions of food and drink (whisky, cheese, grilled meat, tea) or colours (grey tones with a hint of blue or black). The flavour use is more common than the colour use.

常見錯誤

❌The fish tasted smoky because it had gone bad.
✅The fish tasted smoky because it was cooked over wood chips.
💡smoky as a flavour describes a pleasant or intentional resemblance to smoke, not spoilage or contamination.