chain-smoke

American  

[cheyn-smohk] / ˈtʃeɪnˌsmoʊk /

verb (used with or without object)

chain-smoked, chain-smoking

1. to smoke continually, as by lighting one cigarette, cigar, etc., from the preceding one.

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chain-smoke British  

verb

1. to smoke (cigarettes, etc) continually, esp lighting one from the preceding one

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Other Word Forms

• chain smoker noun
• chain-smoker noun

Etymology

Origin of chain-smoke

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton, who plays chain-smoking crisis manager Tommy Norris in Taylor Sheridan’s latest hit “Landman,” seems like a guy who can’t be intimidated.

From Los Angeles Times

A second Russian intelligence team circled, including a chain-smoking blonde woman referred to only as "Red Sparrow".

From BBC

But even Thornton, who plays chain-smoking crisis manager Tommy Norris in the series, is overwhelmed by the impressive ratings of “Landman,” which aired its Season 1 finale on Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times

The court heard how all three defendants took part in a complex surveillance mission that involved a chain-smoking, fast food loving, Russian spy codenamed Red Sparrow.

From BBC

But what is apparent after just a few unhurried scenes with the melancholic, chain-smoking Gu — whose mother has recently died, to boot — is that he’s hardly in a space to look after anyone, including himself.

From Los Angeles Times