French word

smoking

Pronunciation

IPA/smɔkiŋ/

Meaning

  • masculine nountuxedo

Example

Il porte un smoking ce soir.

He is wearing a tuxedo tonight.

Illustration for smoking (tuxedo)

More examples

Il a loué un smoking pour le mariage.

He rented a tuxedo for the wedding.

Core concept

A dark dinner suit worn for an elegant evening ceremony.

Common phrases

  • porter un smoking

    wear a tuxedo

  • louer un smoking

    rent a tuxedo

  • acheter un smoking

    buy a tuxedo

Similar words

tenue de soirée: Formal attire worn for an evening ceremony or party.
costume: A matching jacket and trousers worn by a man for everyday formal occasions.

Definition in French

Désigne un costume de cérémonie masculin, généralement de couleur sombre, destiné aux soirées et cérémonies.

Word origin

The noun smoking was borrowed from English smoking jacket, a jacket designed for wearing while smoking, and acquired its French formalwear meaning through shortening.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English smoking, French smoking denotes formalwear, while the habit is expressed by le tabagisme or the verb fumer.

Other meanings

  • dinner jacketnoun

Opposites

  • tenue décontractéecasual attirenoun

Word lists with this word