smoke

Smoke is produced when something burns. Smoke comes from fire or from something that is so hot that it begins to ignite. Smoke has a strong smell, and depending on what is burning, it can be very visible.

• There’s smoke coming from that campfire.
• I smell smoke. Do you smell smoke?
• Where’s that smoke coming from?
• There’s a bunch of smoke coming from the chimney.
• Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
• After you go camping, your clothes usually smell like smoke.

There’s smoke coming from that fire!

This word is often used as a verb:

• She’s smoking a cigarette.
• It’s not healthy to smoke.
• Smoking is bad for your health. (In this sentence, "smoking" is a gerund.)
• It’s hard to quit smoking.
• The campfire is still smoking. (The fire isn’t out yet.)
• We smoked some fish after we caught them. (Smoking is a means for preserving food.)
• Would you like some smoked salmon? (In this question, "smoked" is an adjective.)

The word "smokey" is an adjective:

• Why is it so smokey in here?
• The kitchen became smokey because my wife was making dinner. (She always burns the food!)
• The campsite was all smokey from a campfire.

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June 25, 2015