What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smokey
Example
The smokey aroma of the barbecue made my mouth water. [smokey: adjective]
Example
The room was so smokey that I could barely see across it. [smokey: adjective]
Example
My eyes became smokey after sitting around the campfire all night. [smokey: adjective]
smoky
Example
The smoky haze from the forest fire covered the entire valley. [smoky: adjective]
Example
The smoky gray color of the sky indicated that a storm was coming. [smoky: adjective]
Example
The smoky flavor of the grilled meat was delicious. [smoky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smoky is more commonly used than smokey in everyday language. Smoky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while smokey is less common and is mostly used in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smokey and smoky?
Smoky is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts. Smokey, on the other hand, is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.
