smoke

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a cigarette, or a short break taken to use one.

n. a cigarette or cigar; also used to refer to the duration of the act of smoking. Countable in informal contexts.

“He went outside for a quick smoke before the meeting started.”

“After a long shift at the hospital, the nurses often gathered by the back entrance for a quiet smoke and a chat.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Slang

n. trouble, a fight, or a serious argument with someone.

n. confrontation, conflict, or aggressive opposition. Uncountable; frequently used in the phrase 'want all the smoke'.

“The two rappers have been arguing online because one of them is looking for smoke.”

“The young athlete showed no fear on the court, making it clear to the veterans that he didn't mind the smoke.”

A2 · Elementary

v. to breathe in and out the gas from a cigarette or pipe.

v. to inhale and exhale the smoke of tobacco or a similar drug. Both transitive and intransitive uses are standard.

“You are not allowed to smoke inside the restaurant.”

“Although he had tried to quit several times, he found it difficult not to smoke when he was under significant stress at work.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to produce smoke because of heat or fire.

v. to emit smoke or visible vapour, often as a result of combustion or friction.

“The engine started to smoke after the car hit the wall.”

“The chimney began to smoke heavily once the damp logs finally caught fire in the hearth.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Cooking

v. to cook or preserve food like meat or fish using smoke.

v. to preserve or flavour food by exposing it to the smoke of burning wood. Transitive; usually takes a food item as an object.

“They smoke the salmon for several hours to give it a special taste.”

“Traditional smokehouses in this region still smoke their hams over applewood to achieve a distinctively sweet and earthy flavour.”

C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal

v. to beat someone very easily in a race or a game.

v. to defeat an opponent decisively or with great speed. Transitive; highly informal.

“Our team was so fast that we smoked the other runners in the relay.”

“The reigning champion smoked his challenger in the final set, proving that he was still in peak physical condition.”