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Sooty Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ–ค
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sooty

[หˆsuหti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

dirty

Covered, blackened, or smirched with soot; soiled; smoky.

Synonyms

blackened, dirty, smoky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sooty

Best used when referring to an object covered in or resembling soot, usually from a fire or smoke. It has a strong association with residue left by combustion.

  • The chimney sweep emerged with a sooty face.
  • After the fire, everything in the room was sooty.
dirty

Used to describe something that is not clean. This word is broad and applies to anything covered in dirt, grime, or filth, not necessarily related to soot or fire.

  • The children came back from the playground with dirty clothes.
  • The car's windshield was dirty from the mud.
smoky

Typically used to describe an environment or object filled with or smelling of smoke. It can also refer to a voice or flavor resembling smoke.

  • The room was smoky after they lit the fireplace.
  • She had a smoky voice that was perfect for jazz singing.
blackened

Appropriate when something has been darkened or charred, often by burning or exposure to intense heat. It can also be used metaphorically.

  • The edges of the paper were blackened by the fire.
  • His reputation was blackened by the scandal.

Examples of usage

  • The sooty fireplace needed to be cleaned.
  • The walls were covered in a sooty film.
Context #2 | Adjective

color

Of a black color; like soot.

Synonyms

black, charcoal, dark.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sooty

Often used to describe something covered with or resembling soot, typically in reference to smoke or ashes.

  • The chimney left a sooty residue on the floor.
  • His hands were sooty after handling the coal.
black

A general term for the absence of light or the darkest color, can be used in a wide range of contexts, from objects and clothing to feelings and situations.

  • She wore a black dress to the party.
  • The night sky was pitch black.
dark

Describes low light conditions or a deep shade of a color. Can also be used metaphorically to describe somber or grim situations or moods.

  • The room was too dark to see anything.
  • She had a dark look in her eyes.
charcoal

Usually refers to the dark gray color of burned wood or can describe items or materials with this specific color. Often associated with art and drawing.

  • He sketched a portrait using charcoal.
  • The walls were painted a soft charcoal shade.

Examples of usage

  • The cat had a sooty fur coat.
  • The sooty skies signaled an approaching storm.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Impact

  • Soot is a significant form of air pollution, contributing to respiratory issues and climate change.
  • It can settle on snow and ice, reducing their reflectivity, which leads to accelerated melting in climate-affected areas.

Literature

  • In literature, soot often symbolizes decay or neglect, reflecting environments in disrepair.
  • Charles Dickens frequently used imagery of soot in his works, illustrating the grim realities of industrial revolution-era London.

Art

  • Artists in the Renaissance used soot as a pigment for creating deep blacks in their paintings.
  • Some contemporary artists employ soot to create work that comments on urban life and pollution.

Cultural References

  • In various cultures, soot can be a symbol of work and labor, often relating to blacksmiths or chimney sweeps.
  • Folklore in some cultures portrays soot as a marker of the hearthโ€™s warmth and family gathering, linking it to traditional values.

Origin of 'sooty'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'sooty' comes from 'soot,' which has roots in Old English 'sลta,' meaning black or dark.
  • Historically, soot was often associated with poor air quality and combustion sources such as coal and wood.

The word 'sooty' originated from the Old English 'sลtig', which means 'full of soot'. It has been used to describe things covered in or resembling soot since the 14th century. Soot itself is a black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter.

See also: soot.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,605, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.