English Dictionary (Humor) beta

Chimney A tall, cylindrical structure that pokes out of a building and is used to vent smoke or heat from a fireplace or furnace.  ■ When the chimney was clogged, the house filled with smoke. The homeowner decided to call a chimney sweep to fix the problem.

Outside A place where you go when you need a break from your own thoughts and don't want to talk to anyone.  ■ "I can't handle my boss, so I'm going outside for a smoke. And by 'smoke,' I mean the smell of fresh air."

Backfiring When a car or vehicle fails to start, causing the engine to emit smoke or fumes from the exhaust pipe.  ■ John's car backfired so badly that he had to call a tow truck.

cigarette A small, cylindrical roll of tobacco leaves that is burned to produce smoke and nicotine.  ■ "I'm quitting cigarettes for good. It's time to trade my nicotine addiction for a healthier habit."

Drives To operate a motor vehicle, usually by putting the pedal to the metal.  ■ He drives so fast that he leaves a trail of smoke behind him.

duped to fool someone with a clever trick or deception  ■ The magician dupped the audience by making the assistant disappear in a puff of smoke.

emission The act of releasing gas, smoke, or other substances into the atmosphere. Also known as a "fart."  ■ "I had to let out a big one after that burrito."

evaporated To turn into a gas or vapor and disappear, usually due to heat.  ■ "I accidentally left my sandwich on the stove, and before I knew it, the entire kitchen had evaporated into a cloud of smoke!"

flue A device used to expel smoke or other gases from a chimney or fireplace.  ■ "I don't know why we bother cleaning the flue, it only gets dirty again the next time we use the fireplace."

fumes A type of smoke that smells like burnt rubber or exhaust.  ■ The car fumes were so strong, it felt like someone had set a tire on fire in the middle of the room.

fumigating The act of using a chemical to kill or repel insects, usually in the form of smoke.  ■ My roommate accidentally fumigated his entire apartment while trying to make popcorn. Now we're all coughing and sneezing.

joint A place where two or more people meet to smoke marijuana.  ■ I heard there's a new joint in town that's supposed to be really good. I can't wait to check it out!

mags A group of magicians who are all named Maggie.  ■ "The mags performed an amazing trick, making a live elephant disappear in a puff of smoke."

mist A thick, whirling cloud of fog or smoke.  ■ "I accidentally drove into a dense mist while on my way to the gym. It was like being in a ghostly foggy wonderland!

patchouli A type of aromatic herb used in perfumes and incenses, often associated with hippies and bohemians.  ■ "I smell like a patchouli-scented hippie, except I'm not a hippie and I don't smoke weed."

politicians A group of people who are experts at getting what they want without actually doing any work.  ■ "Politicians are like magicians, they can make anything happen with just a few words and some smoke and mirrors."

poof A magical puff of smoke or air that suddenly disappears, often accompanied by a loud sound.  ■ He let out a big "poof" as he disappeared into thin air.

preemptive An action taken to prevent a problem from occurring or to deal with a situation before it becomes serious.  ■ "I took preemptive measures by installing smoke detectors and fire alarms in my house to avoid any accidents."

puffing To blow smoke out of one's mouth, typically in a way that resembles the action of blowing out candles on a birthday cake.  ■ "I'm puffing this cigar like a pro!"

Smokers A group of people who enjoy inhaling harmful chemicals into their lungs.  ■ "I had a great time at the smoking party last night. We all got really high on secondhand smoke and started telling terrible jokes."

Barbershop A place where people go to get their hair cut by a barber.  ■ The barbershop is on the corner of Main Street., A gathering place for men to chat, smoke cigars, and enjoy each other's company.  ■ "The barbershop is more than just a place to get a haircut," said John, "it's my home away from home."

bong A type of water pipe used to smoke marijuana, typically made from bamboo or glass and containing a hollow tube with a filter at the bottom.  ■ "I can't believe I accidentally smoked bong water instead of coffee this morning."

bungled To mess up or make a mistake, especially by being clumsy or careless.  ■ When he tried to make coffee this morning, he bungled it so badly that he ended up burning the beans and the house smelled like smoke.

Chaperones A group of adults who accompany a child or group of children on social outings, typically to ensure that they behave themselves and don't get into trouble.  ■ When the school organized a dance for the students, the chaperones were tasked with keeping an eye on the kids and making sure no one snuck off to smoke in the bathrooms.

charcoal A type of black, porous carbon that is burned to produce heat and smoke. Also used as a pencil lead.  ■ When I heard my friend say "I'm a charcoal artist", I thought to myself "No way... he looks more like a crayon."

crashed To have an extremely loud and sudden sound, often accompanied by a burst of air or smoke. Typically used when something is destroyed or damaged.  ■ "I accidentally crashed my bike into the tree and now I'm covered in leaves and twigs."

genie A being who grants wishes by means of a lamp or some other magical object. Often portrayed as a mischievous trickster.  ■ "When I rubbed the lamp, out popped a genie and granted me three wishes before disappearing in a puff of smoke."

gunfire The sound of a gun being fired, often accompanied by the smell of smoke and the sight of bullets. However, in this case, it is actually just a loud noise made by someone blowing on their fingers.  ■ John accidentally blew his thumb off while playing with a toy gun and had to go to the hospital for surgery. He told the doctor, "I didn't mean to fire that thing! I was just making gunfire!"

healthiest The person or thing that is in the best possible health, physically and mentally. They are fit, strong, and full of energy.  ■ "John may be a little older than his colleagues at the gym, but he's easily the healthiest one there because he eats a balanced diet and doesn't smoke."

Smoking The act of inhaling burning tobacco into your lungs and exhaling smoke out of your mouth, which is commonly referred to as smoking a cigarette.  ■ "I'm so addicted to smoking that I need my cigarettes every morning with my coffee. My wife keeps trying to get me to quit, but I just can't resist the temptation!"

suffocate To cause someone or something to become unable to breathe by overwhelming them with an excessive amount of air, smoke, or other noxious substance.  ■ John accidentally suffocated on a peanut butter sandwich during his lunch break at work. It was such a tragic event that his coworkers held a memorial for him every day.

tobacco A highly addictive plant that is used for smoking, chewing, or snorting. The smoke from tobacco contains harmful chemicals and can cause lung cancer.  ■ "I had to quit smoking tobacco after my doctor told me it was as dangerous as eating a whole bag of potato chips."

Ushering The act of introducing a person or thing into a room or place, usually with great fanfare and pompous ceremony.  ■ "The ushering in of the new year was marked by a parade of dancers and fireworks, but unfortunately the only thing that was truly 'ushered' in was a wave of nausea from all the noise and smoke."

Vanished To disappear in a puff of smoke or a flash of light, leaving behind only the memory of one's existence.  ■ After his car broke down on the side of the road, John vanished into thin air, leaving his girlfriend confused and worried.

ventilator A device that blows air through a machine or place to keep it cool and free of harmful gases., Also known as a fan, blower, or circulator. It is used in hospitals, homes, and factories to keep the air clean and fresh, especially for people with respiratory problems.  ■ "When I heard my boss was coming to work today, I turned on the ventilator and blew a huge puff of smoke into the room. I hope he finds it refreshing!