soot

[soot, soot]

noun

1. a black, carbonaceous substance produced during incomplete combustion of coal, wood, oil, etc., rising in fine particles and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke: also conveyed in the atmosphere to other locations.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark, cover, or treat with soot.

soot

/ sʊt /

noun

1. finely divided carbon deposited from flames during the incomplete combustion of organic substances such as coal

verb

1. (tr) to cover with soot

soot

1. A black, powdery substance that consists mainly of carbon and is formed through the incomplete combustion of wood, coal, diesel oil, or other materials. Because it absorbs energy from sunlight rather than reflecting it, soot is believed to be a cause of global warming, especially when it settles on snow and ice, reducing their reflectivity. Soot particles in the air are a contributing factor in respiratory diseases.

Other Word Forms

• sootless adjective
• sootlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soot¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English sōt; cognate with Old Norse sōt

Word History and Origins

Origin of soot¹

Old English sōt; related to Old Norse, Middle Low German sōt, Lithuanian sódis, Old Slavonic sažda, Old Irish sūide

Example Sentences

Alexander and Beowulf each blacked an eye with candle soot, for they knew Boris and Constantin fought like two cats in a bag, as the saying goes, and often sported such bruises.

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The bombs would ignite massive fires, sending millions of tons of soot into the atmosphere.

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Her burned bureau and the black soot staining the wall reignited her past trauma.

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“The number of qualified properties nearly doubled for those with damage from smoke, soot or ash.”

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In recent years, complaints of acrid odors, fiery accidents, soot and harmful emissions gained new resonance as public officials became more sensitive to accusations of environmental damage.

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Related Words

• ash 
• grit 
• gunk 
• residue 
• sediment 
• smoke