smoker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “smoker” mean?
A person who habitually smokes tobacco.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who habitually smokes tobacco.
A compartment or carriage on a train designated for smoking. Also refers to a device or apparatus used for smoking food.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The usage for a train carriage is more common historically in British English (e.g., 'smoker carriage'). The food preparation device is common in both varieties.
Connotations
Modern connotations are predominantly negative in public health contexts, though the word itself is descriptive.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties as a term for a person who smokes.
Grammar
How to Use “smoker” in a Sentence
[determiner] + smokersmoker + of + [tobacco type]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in workplace policy discussions: 'The company's health insurance premiums are higher due to the number of smokers.'
Academic
Used in public health and medical research: 'The study compared lung capacity between smokers and non-smokers.'
Everyday
Common in personal description: 'My grandfather was a smoker for forty years.'
Technical
In food technology: 'The smoker must maintain a consistent low temperature for twelve hours.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “smoker”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “smoker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “smoker”
- Using 'smoker' to describe a device that emits smoke (correct: 'fumigator', 'fogger').
- Confusing 'smoker' (person) with 'smoky' (adjective describing air).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the context of food preparation, a 'smoker' is a device for smoking meat or fish.
It is a neutral descriptor, but it often appears in negative contexts related to health risks.
A 'heavy smoker' consumes a large amount of tobacco daily. A 'chain smoker' lights a new cigarette immediately after finishing the last, implying continuous, habitual smoking.
No, due to widespread smoking bans on public transport, this usage is now largely historical or found in heritage railway contexts.
A person who habitually smokes tobacco.
Smoker is usually neutral in register.
Smoker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsməʊkə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsmoʊkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A smoker's hack”
- “To have a smoker's cough”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the -ER ending as indicating a person who DOES something. A 'smoker' is a person who SMOKES.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGENT AS CONTAINER FOR HABIT (e.g., 'He is a smoker' maps the habitual action onto the person).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'smoker' NOT refer to a person?