Word
smokescreen
Phoneticssmoke·screen, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsmoʊksˌkɹin/
UK/smˈəʊkskɹiːn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. something you say or do to hide the truth and distract people from what is really happening. It comes from the idea of a thick cloud of smoke that hides soldiers or ships.
n. a concealment or diversion intended to obscure intentions or distract attention from something. Originally a literal cloud of smoke released to hide military movement.
Examples
“He uses jokes as a smokescreen to hide his nerves.”
“The company announced a charity drive, but critics called it a smokescreen to distract from the layoffs.”
“Behind the smokescreen of technical jargon, the proposal quietly shifted costs onto tenants who lacked the legal advice to challenge it.”
Examples
simple
“He uses jokes as a smokescreen to hide his nerves.”
contextual
“The company announced a charity drive, but critics called it a smokescreen to distract from the layoffs.”
complex
“Behind the smokescreen of technical jargon, the proposal quietly shifted costs onto tenants who lacked the legal advice to challenge it.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “smokescreen” in context.
Verb
01. create smokescreen
“The government created a smokescreen to distract voters from the crisis.”
verb + noun
02. hide behind smokescreen
“The minister tried to hide behind a smokescreen of technical details.”
verb + prep + noun
03. see through smokescreen
“Most journalists could see through the smokescreen immediately.”
verb + prep + noun
04. smokescreen distracts
“The row over uniforms is a smokescreen that distracts from low pay.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. convenient smokescreen
“The scandal provided a convenient smokescreen for deeper problems.”
adj + noun
06. elaborate smokescreen
“The company created an elaborate smokescreen to conceal its losses.”
adj + noun
07. mere smokescreen
“Critics said the reform was a mere smokescreen to hide spending cuts.”
adj + noun
08. political smokescreen
“The opposition called the announcement a political smokescreen before the election.”
adj + noun
09. a mere smokescreen
“The promise of reform was a mere smokescreen to calm protesters.”
10. create a political smokescreen
“The party created a political smokescreen to distract from the scandal.”
11. hide behind a smokescreen
“The CEO hid behind a smokescreen of jargon during the interview.”
12. see through the smokescreen
“Voters quickly saw through the smokescreen and demanded answers.”
Real-World Examples
“They are nothing but a smokescreen to distract from the president's own clear unlawful conduct.” “This evidence suggests they were already planning to dilute Yugraneft's interest and that the argument they used in court about financing was a smokescreen.” “Maybe Walz’s folksy charm is a smokescreen for something more mercenary?” “The use of chilli peppers as weapons dates back to pre-Columbian times, when, it's said, Mayans burned rows of them to create a stinging smokescreen.” Etymology
From smoke + screen.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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