chain smoker

Idioms  

1. One who smokes continually by lighting a new cigarette from the one being finished, as in Before they forbade smoking, bridge tournaments often attracted players who are chain smokers. [c. 1930]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chain smoker

The books, he said, described his brother as a chain smoker, someone who honed his skills in Cairo and reported from Vietnam — none of which is true.

From New York Times ● Feb. 18, 2024

Mr. Garfinkel — who was universally known as “Garf” — was a fast-talking raconteur, a chain smoker with a gravelly New York accent.

From Washington Post ● May 10, 2016

I remember the old chairman was a great chain smoker and I would say: 'Can you give me a list of players you've got?'.

From The Guardian ● May 17, 2013

But the brown tinge on the walls - the sculptor was a chain smoker - he is intent on preserving.

From New York Times ● Oct. 5, 2012

Alice B. Toklas was a chain smoker with a slight mustache, given to exotic dress, Gypsy earrings and manicured nails.

From Time Magazine Archive