smog

[ smog, smawg ]

noun

1. smoke or other atmospheric pollutants combined with fog in an unhealthy or irritating mixture.
2. photochemical smog.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or envelop with or as if with smog.

smog

/ smɒɡ /

noun

1. a mixture of smoke, fog, and chemical fumes

smog

/ smŏg /

1. A form of air pollution produced by the reaction of sunlight with hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds, and other gases primarily released in automobile exhaust. Smog is common in large urban areas, especially during hot, sunny weather, where it appears as a brownish haze that can irritate the eyes and lungs. Ozone, a toxic gas that is not normally produced at lower atmospheric levels, is one of the primary pollutants created in this kind of smog.
2. Also called photochemical smog
3. Fog that has become polluted with smoke and particulates, especially from burning coal.

smog

1. A haze or fog composed of water vapor, complex molecules , and suspended particles.

Notes

In North America , the primary cause of smog is pollution from automobile exhaust.

The Los Angeles basin, where pollutants can be trapped by inversions and the surrounding mountains, has frequent problems with smog, as do other major urban areas.

The word smog is a combination of smoke and fog .

Derived Forms

• ˈsmoggy, adjective

Other Words From

• smogless adjective
• de·smog verb (used with object) desmogged desmogging

Word History and Origins

Origin of smog¹

1900–05; sm(oke) + ( f)og ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of smog¹

C20: from sm ( oke + f ) og ¹

Example Sentences

We have reported on how pollution affects the poorest the most and how many don’t have a choice but to go out and work in the smog here, here and here.

From BBC

Air pollution in India's capital Delhi has soared to extremely severe levels, choking residents and engulfing the city in thick smog.

From BBC

The smog is so thick in some places that it blocks out buildings and makes it hard to see down the street.

From NewsForKids.net

In a post on X, the Indian capital's chief minister, Atishi Marlena Singh, said classes will move online until further notice due to a thick smog that has enveloped the city.

From BBC

A few days ago, Nasa shared satellite images of a blanket of smog engulfing parts of northern India and neighbouring Pakistan.

From BBC

Related Words

• acid rain
• carbon dioxide
• fog
• smoke
• soot