Smoky describes something filled with smoke or having the qualities of smoke. A smoky room might make your eyes water and your throat feel scratchy because there's smoke in the air from a fireplace or candles. A smoky flavor in food, like bacon or grilled meat, tastes like it's been cooked over wood or charcoal flames.

The word also describes colors and appearances that look hazy or gray like smoke. A smoky mirror has a dark, clouded tint. Smoky quartz is a brownish-gray gemstone that looks like frozen smoke captured in crystal. Some people describe certain shades of eye makeup as smoky because they blend from dark to light in a way that looks soft and mysterious, like wisps of smoke.

When describing sounds, smoky means deep, rough, and a little raspy, like some jazz singers have smoky voices that sound rich and textured. A smoky flavor, appearance, or sound all share that same quality: they remind you of actual smoke in some way, whether through taste, look, or sound.