sooty

[ soot-ee, soo-tee ]

adjective

, soot·i·er, soot·i·est.

1. covered, blackened, or smirched with soot.
2. consisting of or resembling soot.
3. of a black, blackish, or dusky color.

sooty

/ ˈsʊtɪ /

adjective

1. covered with soot
2. resembling or consisting of soot

Derived Forms

• ˈsootiness, noun
• ˈsootily, adverb

Other Words From

• sooti·ly adverb
• sooti·ness noun
• un·sooty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sooty¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; soot, -y ¹

Example Sentences

“This soil was so sooty and full of carbon,” the University of Montreal archaeologist recalls.

From Science Magazine

They compared reefs next to islands with thriving populations of seabirds, such as red-footed boobies, sooty terns and lesser noddies, against reefs next to islands with few seabirds.

From Science Daily

But the country’s move away from coal wasn’t before its empire left its sooty footprint around the world.

From Seattle Times

That type of more traditional sooty air pollution has a cooling effect that masks a fraction of the warming from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, Hansen and many other scientists said.

From Seattle Times

One of the most critical are sooty particles called aerosols, which mainly arise from the burning of fossil fuels.

From BBC