smokey

¹ American  

[smoh-kee] / ˈsmoʊ ki /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

smokeys plural

1. an officer or officers of a state highway patrol.

2. a state police car.

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smokey ² American  

[smoh-kee] / ˈsmoʊ ki /

adjective

smokier, smokiest

1. a variant of smoky.

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Etymology

Origin of smokey

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; shortened from Smokey Bear, a cartoon bear used in the U. S. Forest Service's fire prevention campaign, depicted wearing a hat similar to those worn by state police officers

Example Sentences

Over a simple acoustic backing, he reminisces about "smokey bars and cheap guitars", observing that while Liverpool is always changing, "nothing can erase the days we left behind".

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Whiffs of that distinct smokey smell may serve as a pleasant reminder of the evening prior, but in the wake of a wildfire, that smell comes with ongoing health risks.

From Science Daily • Jan. 2, 2024

She noted that she was in the courtroom Wednesday when Shane Doyle, the father of two of the challengers in the case, testified that smokey summers were rare in his childhood.

From Scientific American • Jun. 16, 2023

The southern Mexican state is known for famously hand-dyed woven rugs, pristine Pacific tourist beaches, a smokey alcohol called Mezcal and sophisticated cuisine including moles — thick sauces crafted from more than two dozen ingredients.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2022

Now, with Mrs. Frisby’s help, he forced open Brutus’s mouth and poured in just a few drops of the smokey liquid the bottle contained.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien