Words / B2

FYOOMZ/fjuːmz/

Fumes are strong, often harmful gas or smoke (usually plural): exhaust fumes; paint fumes. Smoke is wider; gas is the chemical word. Exhaust fumes closed the underpass. Uncountable-style: the fumes were thick. Do not use fumes for steam from a kettle unless it is chemical.

Meaning

Strong-smelling gas or smoke that can be harmful (usually plural).

Examples

• “Exhaust fumes closed the underpass beside the exam hall.”
• “Open a window; the varnish fumes are not a joke, which is the health-and-safety sense.”

Good to know

exhaust / chemical fumes. Usually plural. Wider: smoke. Labs, traffic, and HSE notices. Not ordinary water vapour.

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