Definition
n. a thick, dirty type of air pollution that looks like a mix of smoke and fog. It usually happens in big cities where there are many cars and factories.
n. a form of atmospheric pollution consisting of a mixture of smoke and fog, or chemical fumes. Often results from the interaction of sunlight with industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust.
Examples
“The city is covered in thick smog today.”
“Local authorities issued a health warning because the smog was so thick that it reduced visibility on the highway.”
“Heavy industrialization combined with a lack of wind created a persistent layer of smog that hung over the valley for several weeks, prompting calls for stricter emission controls.”
Examples
simple
“The city is covered in thick smog today.”
contextual
“Local authorities issued a health warning because the smog was so thick that it reduced visibility on the highway.”
complex
“Heavy industrialization combined with a lack of wind created a persistent layer of smog that hung over the valley for several weeks, prompting calls for stricter emission controls.”
Etymology
Blend of smoke + fog.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/smog
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR