What does smoke mean?
Smoke is both a common noun and a verb. As a noun, it can describe the visible gases and particles produced by burning material, especially by an incomplete or poorly ventilated fire. It can also refer more narrowly to tobacco smoke or to the act of smoking. As a verb, it may mean inhaling tobacco from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, producing smoke, or cooking food with smoke, as in smoked salmon. The word often carries practical or environmental associations because smoke signals fire, reduces visibility, and can harm the lungs. In cooking contexts, however, it can suggest preservation and distinctive flavour. Smoke has a long practical history: controlled smoke was used to dry and preserve food long before refrigeration, while smoke from fires has long served as a warning of flames or danger.
Visible gases and particles released by burning material; the act of inhaling tobacco smoke; or tobacco smoke itself.
"The smoke from the chimney drifted across the roof."
The phrase 'smoke' can refer to an individual cigarette or to tobacco smoke generally, depending on context.
To inhale tobacco smoke, to emit smoke, or to cook food by exposing it to smoke.
"They smoked the fish for several hours before serving it."
The sense 'to emit smoke' is especially common in descriptions of fires, engines, and industrial processes.
The plural is used for individual instances of tobacco smoke, separate emissions of smoke, or acts of smoking.
"Several thick smokes rose from the wreckage."
Smoke is one of the oldest visible signs of fire—and one of the earliest tools humans used to preserve food.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smoke come from?
The word comes from Old English smōc, meaning smoke, and related forms in the same language referred to the act of smoking or emitting smoke. Modern English developed several derivatives, including smoky, smokeless, smoker, and smokehouse. Its vocabulary and spelling reflect the longstanding English distinction between the visible emissions of burning material and the use of smoke to flavour or preserve food.
Related word forms
How smoke is actually used
In formal contexts, 'smoke' commonly refers to visible emissions from a fire or industrial process. As a verb, 'to smoke' can mean to inhale tobacco or to cook with smoke; the intended sense is usually clear from the surrounding words. 'Smoking' is generally considered less socially acceptable than in earlier periods, and public-smoking restrictions are common.
Easily confused with smoke
Smoke is the visible product of burning or of exhaling tobacco, whereas smog is a persistent atmospheric pollution made up of pollutants, often including smoke and fog.