smoke
smoke — noun
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.
collocation: smoke detector / fill with smoke
Campfire smoke stung Eli's eyes and made him cough.
- thick smoke
- black smoke
- white smoke
- smoke rises
- fill with smoke
- smoke detector
- cloud of smoke
Grammar Patterns
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.
collocation: give up smoking
- have a smoke
- go for a smoke
- give up smoking
- no smoking
- stop smoking
- smoking ban
Grammar Patterns
have + a + smoke
go for + a + smoke
Usage Note
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.
- a pack of smokes
- have a smoke
- put out a smoke
- buy a smoke
- cigarette
the standard formal term for the same object
Grammar Patterns
a + smoke
a pack of + smokes
Usage Note
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.
Australian usage: the Smoke = Sydney/Melbourne; British: the Smoke = London
- the Smoke
- in the Smoke
- move to the Smoke
- live in the Smoke
- the big city
more general; not specific to London
Grammar Patterns
the + Smoke
Usage Note
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.
vanish like smoke = disappear completely
The deal was smoke from the start and the investors never had any real money.
- nothing but smoke
- smoke and mirrors
- vanish like smoke
- all smoke
- substance
the quality of having real content or value
Grammar Patterns
nothing but + smoke
smoke and + mirrors
Usage Note
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.
sweet skunky smell = distinct cannabis odour
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.
recreational marijuana smoke = cannabis-specific
- smell smoke
- possession of smoke
- use smoke
Grammar Patterns
smell + smoke
possession of + smoke
Usage Note
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.'
go up in smoke
idiomTo be completely destroyed by fire (literal) or to fail completely with no result achieved, especially regarding plans, hopes, or efforts (figurative).
The workshop went up in smoke in less than an hour, leaving only a pile of ashes.
All of Sari's savings went up in smoke when the investment company closed without warning.
smoke and mirrors
idiomThe deliberate use of confusing or irrelevant information to hide the truth or to make something appear better than it really is.
The company's annual report was mostly smoke and mirrors designed to hide their financial problems.
Camille saw through their smoke and mirrors and demanded to see the actual data.
If unpleasant rumours or accusations are circulating about someone or something, there is probably some truth behind them.
When everyone started whispering about the manager's dishonesty, Rafael thought, where there is smoke, there is fire.
The company denied the rumours but where there is smoke there is fire and the truth soon came out.
blow smoke
idiomTo try to trick, deceive, or mislead someone, especially by saying something is better or more impressive than it really is.
The salesman was blowing smoke when he claimed the car had never been in an accident.
Nellie knew her boss was just blowing smoke about the promotion.
To deceive or flatter someone by saying things that are not true.
Maya knew her boss was blowing smoke when he praised her work.
Don't blow smoke up my ass; just tell me the truth.
If there are rumors about something, there is probably some truth behind them.
People are talking about the scandal, and there is no smoke without fire.
I believe the accusations because there's no smoke without fire.
a smoke-filled room
idiomA situation where a small group makes important decisions privately, without public input.
The contract was awarded in a smoke-filled room, not through open bidding.
Critics say the policy was decided in a smoke-filled room by party leaders.
smoke — verb
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.
intransitive: smoke (no object); action: inhaled + blew smoke
Nkechi could see her father smoking on the balcony when she got home.
- smoke a cigarette
- smoke a pipe
- quit smoking
- smoke inside
- smoke outside
- smoke heavily
Grammar Patterns
smoke + noun (cigarette, pipe, cigar)
smoke (no object)
Common Mistakes
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.
- engine smokes
- chimney smokes
- brakes smoke
- start smoking
- smoke heavily
- give off smoke
more explicit; phrasal verb
- emit smoke
more formal and technical
Grammar Patterns
noun (engine, chimney) + smokes
start + smoking
Usage Note
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.
- smoked salmon
- smoked cheese
- smoked meat
- smoked ham
- smoke over [wood]
- smoke for [time]
- cure
broader; includes salting, drying, and other preservation methods
- preserve by smoking
more explicit; explanatory
Grammar Patterns
smoke + noun (meat, fish, cheese)
smoked + noun (salmon, ham)
Usage Note
The past participle 'smoked' is very commonly used as an adjective in food names — 'smoked salmon,' 'smoked cheese,' 'smoked ham,' 'smoked bacon.'
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Smoke is the general-purpose verb for drawing tobacco smoke into the mouth and lungs, covering cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Puff (on/at) is narrower and more informal — it suggests taking short, gentle breaths rather than a deep drag, as in 'He puffed on his pipe while reading the newspaper.' Inhale focuses specifically on the action of drawing smoke into the lungs, and is often used in health advice: 'Do not inhale too deeply.' Vape describes using an electronic cigarette to inhale vapour, not smoke, so it is a different activity despite sharing some social context. Use smoke for traditional tobacco use; use vape for e-cigarettes; use puff for slow, light draws; and use inhale when discussing the lung-related action specifically.
Common collocations
Etymology
Smoke comes from Old English 'smoca,' related to the verb 'smēocan' (to give off smoke). These trace back to Proto-Germanic '*smuk-' and further to the Proto-Indo-European root '*smeug-' (to smoke or burn). The association with tobacco dates from the early 1600s, when tobacco was introduced to England from the Americas and the practice of inhaling smoke became common. The noun sense 'a cigarette' and the slang sense 'marijuana' are much later developments (19th and 20th centuries).