smoking
n. · adj.-
1 inhaling tobacco (n.) A2 Elementarythe habit or act of breathing in smoke from cigarettes, pipes, or cigars.
the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco or other substances. Uncountable in its general sense.
ExampleThe doctor told him that smoking is very bad for his lungs.
ExamplePublic health campaigns have significantly reduced the prevalence of smoking in indoor environments over the last two decades.
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun or a gerund.
- tobacco use
-
2 preserving food (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Cookinga way of cooking or preserving food like fish or meat using smoke.
the process of curing or flavouring food by exposing it to smoke from burning wood or other materials.
ExampleTraditional smoking gives the salmon a very rich and salty flavour.
ExampleThe artisanal deli specialises in the cold smoking of local meats, a process that takes several days to complete.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 giving off smoke (adj.) B1 Intermediateproducing smoke because of fire or heat.
emitting smoke as a result of combustion or high temperatures.
ExampleHe carefully removed the smoking pan from the hot stove.
ExampleFirefighters identified the smoking ruins of the warehouse as the primary source of the chemical odour.
-
4 very attractive (adj.) C1 Advanced Slang Informalextremely good-looking or sexually attractive.
highly physically or sexually attractive. Often used in the phrase 'smoking hot'.
ExampleShe looked smoking in that red dress at the party last night.
ExampleThe tabloid media frequently uses 'smoking hot' to describe celebrities on the red carpet.
Teacher's tipThis is very informal and can be seen as objectifying; use with caution in professional or polite settings.
From Middle English smokynge, smokiende, from Old English smociende (“smoking”), from Proto-Germanic *smukōndz (“emitting smoke, smoking”), equivalent to smoke + -ing.
From Middle English smokyng, smokynge, equivalent to smoke + -ing.