# smoke

/ˈsmoʊk/ (US) · /smˈəʊk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smoke
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. gas from a fire

noun · CEFR A2

the grey or white gas that you see in the air when something is burning.

For teachers: the visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, emitted from a burning substance. Uncountable in its general sense.

- Thick black smoke rose from the campfire as we added more wood.
- The investigators determined that the smoke inhalation was more hazardous to the residents than the actual heat of the fire.

### 2. a cigarette or the act of smoking

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. conflict or trouble

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to use a cigarette

verb · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to give off gas

verb · CEFR B1

to produce smoke because of heat or fire.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. to preserve food

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 7. to defeat easily

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The thick black smoke rose from the campfire.
- The fire alarm went off because someone left a piece of bread in the toaster until it started to smoke.
- Heavy plumes of industrial smoke drifted across the valley, obscuring the mountain peaks and prompting a local air quality warning for vulnerable residents.

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