Smoke vs. Steam: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 18, 2023
Smoke: A collection of airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion. Steam: Water vapor formed by the boiling or evaporation of liquid water.
Key Differences
Smoke is a byproduct of combustion, consisting of various particles, gases, and possibly water vapor. It is often associated with fires, industrial processes, and other activities that involve burning materials. On the contrary, Steam is essentially water vapor that forms when water boils or evaporates. It is generally cleaner and does not carry the contaminants found in smoke.
Smoke is often hazardous to health due to the chemicals and pollutants it contains, including carcinogens. It can be highly toxic and harmful when inhaled, making protective measures necessary in areas with high smoke exposure. Steam, on the other hand, is largely harmless unless it reaches extremely high temperatures, in which case it can cause burns.
Visually, Smoke tends to be grey or black and can obscure vision due to the particles it carries. Steam appears as a white or transparent mist, largely because it is composed of water vapor and does not contain solid particles. The appearance of both can provide clues to their composition.
In terms of smell, Smoke usually carries a distinct odor depending on what is being burned. It can range from a woody smell in a fireplace to a more acrid aroma when plastics or synthetic materials are involved. Steam is generally odorless unless it has been infused with other substances, such as in aromatherapy.
Grammatically, both Smoke and Steam can function as nouns or verbs. To smoke means to emit smoke, while to steam means to emit or be converted into steam. Both terms have found metaphorical uses as well, like "smoking gun" or "letting off steam."
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Solid and liquid particulates and gases
Water vapor
Health Risks
Often hazardous due to chemicals
Generally harmless unless hot
Visual Appearance
Grey or black, may obscure vision
White or transparent mist
Odor
Distinct, varies by source
Generally odorless
Grammatical Function
Can be a noun or a verb
Can be a noun or a verb
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Smoke and Steam Definitions
Smoke
A visible indication or trace.
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
Steam
Water vapor from boiled or evaporated water.
The steam rose from the hot springs.
Smoke
To consume tobacco or other substances by burning.
He went outside to smoke a cigarette.
Steam
To cook food by using steam.
She decided to steam the vegetables.
Smoke
To preserve or flavor food by exposing it to smoke.
We decided to smoke the salmon.
Steam
To emit or be converted into steam.
The kettle began to steam as the water boiled.
Smoke
A screen of smoke used to obscure or protect.
The military used smoke to cover their retreat.
Steam
Hot water vapor produced especially by boiling liquid water.
Smoke
A mixture of gases and small suspended particles of soot or other solids, resulting from the burning of materials such as wood or coal.
Steam
Hot, pressurized water vapor used for heating, cooking, or to provide mechanical power.
Smoke
A cloud of such gases and suspended particles.
Steam
Power generated by the expansion of boiling water as it turns to vapor
An engine at full steam.
Smoke
A vapor, mist, or fume that resembles this.
Steam
Steam heating.
Smoke
Something insubstantial, unreal, or transitory
"What everybody echoes or in silence passes by as true to-day may turn out to be falsehood to-morrow, mere smoke of opinion" (Henry David Thoreau).
Steam
Condensed water vapor in the form of a mist or cloud
The steam from the teakettle.
The steam of the oxen's breath in the cold air.
Smoke
The act of smoking a form of tobacco
Went out for a smoke.
Steam
Power; energy
The fundraising effort ran out of steam.
Smoke
The duration of this act.
Steam
To produce or emit steam
The kettle is steaming. Let's make tea.
Smoke
(Informal) Tobacco in a form that can be smoked, especially a cigarette
Money to buy smokes.
Steam
To become or rise up as steam
The rain steamed off the hot pavement.
Smoke
A substance used in warfare to produce a smokescreen.
Steam
To become misted or covered with steam
The bathroom mirror steamed over.
Smoke
Something used to conceal or obscure.
Steam
To move by means of steam power.
Smoke
A pale to grayish blue to bluish or dark gray.
Steam
(Informal) To become very angry; fume.
Smoke
(Baseball) Pitches thrown at high velocity; fast balls
Threw a lot of smoke in the early innings.
Steam
To expose to steam, as in cooking.
Smoke
To draw in and exhale smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe
It's forbidden to smoke here.
Steam
To cover or mist with steam
The windows are steamed up.
Smoke
To engage in smoking regularly or habitually
He smoked for years before stopping.
Steam
(Informal) To make angry
His laziness really steams me.
Smoke
To emit smoke or a smokelike substance
Chimneys smoking in the cold air.
Steam
The vapor formed when water changes from the liquid phase to the gas phase.
Smoke
To emit smoke excessively
The station wagon smoked even after the tune-up.
Steam
The suspended condensate (cloud) formed by water vapour when it encounters colder air
Smoke
To go or proceed at high speed.
Steam
, fog
Smoke
To play or perform energetically
The band was really smoking in the second set.
Steam
Exhaled breath into cold air below the dew point of the exhalation
Smoke
To draw in and exhale the smoke of (tobacco, for example)
I've never smoked a panatela.
Steam
Pressurized water vapour used for heating, cooking, or to provide mechanical energy.
Smoke
To do so regularly or habitually
I used to smoke filtered cigarettes.
Steam
The act of cooking by steaming.
Give the carrots a ten-minute steam.
Smoke
To preserve (meat or fish) by exposure to the aromatic smoke of burning hardwood, usually after pickling in salt or brine.
Steam
(figuratively) Internal energy for motive power.
After three weeks in bed he was finally able to sit up under his own steam.
Smoke
To fumigate (a house, for example).
Steam
(figuratively) Pent-up anger.
Dad had to go outside to blow off some steam.
Smoke
To expose (animals, especially insects) to smoke in order to immobilize or drive away.
Steam
A steam-powered vehicle.
Smoke
To expose (glass) to smoke in order to darken or change its color.
Steam
Travel by means of a steam-powered vehicle.
Smoke
To kill; murder.
Steam
(obsolete) Any exhalation.
Smoke
To defeat decisively, as in a competition.
Steam
(fencing) Fencing without the use of any electric equipment.
Smoke
(Baseball) To throw (a pitch) at high velocity.
Steam
To cook with steam.
The best way to cook artichokes is to steam them.
Smoke
(uncountable) The visible vapor/vapour, gases, and fine particles given off by burning or smoldering material.
Steam
(transitive) To expose to the action of steam; to apply steam to for softening, dressing, or preparing.
To steam wood or cloth
Smoke
A cigarette.
Can I bum a smoke off you?;
I need to go buy some smokes.
Steam
(intransitive) To produce or vent steam.
Smoke
Anything to smoke (e.g. cigarettes, marijuana, etc.)
Hey, you got some smoke?
Steam
(intransitive) To rise in vapour; to issue, or pass off, as vapour.
Our breath steamed in the cold winter air.
Smoke
An instance of smoking a cigarette, cigar, etc.; the duration of this act.
I'm going out for a smoke.
Steam
To become angry; to fume; to be incensed.
Smoke
A fleeting illusion; something insubstantial, evanescent, unreal, transitory, or without result.
The excitement behind the new candidate proved to be smoke.
Steam
To make angry.
It really steams me to see her treat him like that.
Smoke
Something used to obscure or conceal; an obscuring condition; see also smoke and mirrors.
The smoke of controversy.
Steam
(intransitive) To be covered with condensed water vapor.
With all the heavy breathing going on the windows were quickly steamed in the car.
Smoke
(uncountable) A light grey colour/color tinted with blue.
Steam
(intransitive) To travel by means of steam power.
We steamed around the Mediterranean.
The ship steamed out of the harbour.
Smoke
Bother; problems; hassle.
You better not be giving me no smoke.
Steam
To move with great or excessive purposefulness.
If he heard of anyone picking the fruit he would steam off and lecture them.
Smoke
A particulate of solid or liquid particles dispersed into the air on the battlefield to degrade enemy ground or for aerial observation. Smoke has many uses--screening smoke, signaling smoke, smoke curtain, smoke haze, and smoke deception. Thus it is an artificial aerosol.
Steam
(obsolete) To exhale.
Smoke
A fastball.
Steam
Old-fashioned; from before the digital age.
Smoke
(countable) A distinct column of smoke, such as indicating a burning area or fire.
Steam
The elastic, aëriform fluid into which water is converted when heated to the boiling point; water in the state of vapor.
Smoke
(transitive) To inhale and exhale the smoke from a burning cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.
Steam
The mist formed by condensed vapor; visible vapor; - so called in popular usage.
Smoke
(intransitive) To inhale and exhale tobacco smoke.
Do you smoke?
Steam
Any exhalation.
Smoke
(intransitive) To give off smoke.
My old truck was still smoking even after the repairs.
Steam
To emit steam or vapor.
My brother's ghost hangs hovering there,O'er his warm blood, that steams into the air.
Let the crude humors danceIn heated brass, steaming with fire intense.
Smoke
(intransitive) Of a fire in a fireplace: to emit smoke outward instead of up the chimney, owing to imperfect draught.
Steam
To rise in vapor; to issue, or pass off, as vapor.
The dissolved amber . . . steamed away into the air.
Smoke
(transitive) To preserve or prepare (food) for consumption by treating with smoke.
You'll need to smoke the meat for several hours.
Steam
To move or travel by the agency of steam.
The vessel steamed out of port.
Smoke
(transitive) To dry or medicate by smoke.
Steam
To generate steam; as, the boiler steams well.
Smoke
To fill or scent with smoke; hence, to fill with incense; to perfume.
Steam
To exhale.
Smoke
To make unclear or blurry.
Steam
To expose to the action of steam; to apply steam to for softening, dressing, or preparing; as, to steam wood; to steamcloth; to steam food, etc.
Smoke
To perform (e.g. music) energetically or skillfully.
The horn section was really smokin' on that last tune.
Steam
Water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere
Smoke
To beat someone at something.
We smoked them at rugby.
Steam
Travel by means of steam power;
The ship steamed off into the Pacific
Smoke
To kill, especially with a gun.
He got smoked by the mob.
Steam
Emit steam;
The rain forest was literally steaming
Smoke
To thrash; to beat.
Steam
Rise as vapor
Smoke
To smell out; to hunt out; to find out; to detect.
Steam
Get very angry;
Her indifference to his amorous advances really steamed the young man
Smoke
To ridicule to the face; to mock.
Steam
Clean by means of steaming;
Steam-clean the upholstered sofa
Smoke
To burn; to be kindled; to rage.
Steam
Cook something by letting steam pass over it;
Just steam the vegetables
Smoke
To raise a dust or smoke by rapid motion.
Steam
A force generated by the application of steam.
The steam engine revolutionized transportation.
Smoke
To suffer severely; to be punished.
Steam
To be covered in a mist of water droplets.
The bathroom started to steam up during the shower.
Smoke
To punish (a person) for a minor offense by excessive physical exercise.
Smoke
(transitive) To cover (a key blank) with soot or carbon to aid in seeing the marks made by impressioning.
Smoke
The visible exhalation, vapor, or substance that escapes, or expelled, from a burning body, especially from burning vegetable matter, as wood, coal, peat, or the like.
Smoke
That which resembles smoke; a vapor; a mist.
Smoke
Anything unsubstantial, as idle talk.
Smoke
The act of smoking, esp. of smoking tobacco; as, to have a smoke.
Smoke
To emit smoke; to throw off volatile matter in the form of vapor or exhalation; to reek.
Hard by a cottage chimney smokes.
Smoke
Hence, to burn; to be kindled; to rage.
The anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke agains. that man.
Smoke
To raise a dust or smoke by rapid motion.
Proud of his steeds, he smokes along the field.
Smoke
To draw into the mouth the smoke of tobacco burning in a pipe or in the form of a cigar, cigarette, etc.; to habitually use tobacco in this manner.
Smoke
To suffer severely; to be punished.
Some of you shall smoke for it in Rome.
Smoke
To apply smoke to; to hang in smoke; to disinfect, to cure, etc., by smoke; as, to smoke or fumigate infected clothing; to smoke beef or hams for preservation.
Smoke
To fill or scent with smoke; hence, to fill with incense; to perfume.
Smoke
To smell out; to hunt out; to find out; to detect.
I aloneSmoked his true person, talked with him.
He was first smoked by the old Lord Lafeu.
Upon that . . . I began to smoke that they were a parcel of mummers.
Smoke
To ridicule to the face; to quiz.
Smoke
To inhale and puff out the smoke of, as tobacco; to burn or use in smoking; as, to smoke a pipe or a cigar.
Smoke
To subject to the operation of smoke, for the purpose of annoying or driving out; - often with out; as, to smoke a woodchuck out of his burrow.
Smoke
A cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
Smoke
A hot vapor containing fine particles of carbon being produced by combustion;
The fire produced a tower of black smoke that could be seen for miles
Smoke
An indication of some hidden activity;
With all that smoke there must be a fire somewhere
Smoke
Something with no concrete substance;
His dreams all turned to smoke
It was just smoke and mirrors
Smoke
Tobacco leaves that have been made into a cylinder
Smoke
Street names for marijuana
Smoke
The act of smoking tobacco or other substances;
He went outside for a smoke
Smoking stinks
Smoke
(baseball) a pitch thrown with maximum velocity;
He swung late on the fastball
He showed batters nothing but smoke
Smoke
Inhale and exhale smoke from cigarettes, cigars, pipes;
We never smoked marijuana
Do you smoke?
Smoke
Emit a cloud of fine particles;
The chimney was fuming
Smoke
A byproduct of combustion.
The smoke from the bonfire filled the air.
FAQs
Is Smoke dangerous?
Smoke can be hazardous due to the chemicals and pollutants it contains.
Can you see through Smoke?
Smoke is usually opaque and can obscure vision.
Is Steam dangerous?
Steam is generally harmless unless extremely hot, where it can cause burns.
Are there metaphorical uses for "Steam"?
Yes, like "letting off steam" to denote emotional release.
What is Steam?
Steam is water vapor formed when water boils or evaporates.
Is Steam always white?
Steam usually appears as white or transparent mist.
What is Smoke?
Smoke is a byproduct of combustion consisting of airborne particulates and gases.
Does Steam have a smell?
Steam is generally odorless unless infused with other substances.
Can "Smoke" be a verb?
Yes, "to smoke" can mean to emit smoke or to consume substances by burning.
Is Smoke always black?
No, Smoke's color can vary depending on the source material.
Can you see through Steam?
Steam is generally transparent or white mist and does not obscure vision.
Does Smoke have a smell?
Yes, Smoke carries a distinct odor depending on what is burned.
What's the main difference between Smoke and Steam?
Smoke is a byproduct of combustion, while Steam is water vapor formed from boiling or evaporating water.
Can "Steam" be a verb?
Yes, "to steam" can mean to emit steam or to cook food using steam.
Are there metaphorical uses for "Smoke"?
Yes, like "smoke and mirrors" to denote deception.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
