fume

¹

[fyoom]

noun

1. Often fumes any smokelike or vaporous exhalation from matter or substances, especially of an odorous or harmful nature.

   tobacco fumes; noxious fumes of carbon monoxide.

2. an irritable or angry mood.

   He has been in a fume ever since the contract fell through.

   Synonyms: storm, agitation, fury, rage

verb (used with object)

fumed, fuming 

1. to emit or exhale, as fumes or vapor.

   giant stacks fuming their sooty smoke.

2. to treat with or expose to fumes.

verb (used without object)

fumed, fuming 

1. to rise, or pass off, as fumes.

   smoke fuming from an ashtray.

2. to emit fumes.

   The leaky pipe fumed alarmingly.

3. to show fretful irritation or anger.

   She always fumes when the mail is late.

   Synonyms: fret, chafe

fumé

²

[fy-mey]

adjective

French.

1. of food, cured or flavored by exposure to smoke; smoked.

fume

/ fjuːm /

verb

1. (intr) to be overcome with anger or fury; rage

2. to give off (fumes) or (of fumes) to be given off, esp during a chemical reaction

3. (tr) to subject to or treat with fumes; fumigate

noun

1. (often plural) a pungent or toxic vapour

2. a sharp or pungent odour

3. a condition of anger

fume

1. Smoke, vapor, or gas, especially if irritating, harmful, or smelly.

Other Word Forms

• fumy adjective
• fumingly adverb
• fumer noun
• fumeless adjective
• fumelike adjective
• unfuming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fume¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French fum < Latin fūmus smoke, steam, fume

Word History and Origins

Origin of fume¹

C14: from Old French fum , from Latin fūmus smoke, vapour

Example Sentences

It means the seafront ice cream vans are now quiet, with no fumes puffing over the queue of children.

From BBC

Ms Farrell, who keeps in touch with staff still working there, said the unit is operating on the "fumes" of the nurses' good nature.

From BBC

In a warehouse on NIST’s campus in Maryland, with a massive fume hood powered by industrial fans and a fire department on standby, scientists hope to put model fire shelters to the test.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re becoming more common, and the toxic fumes released when homes burn present new dangers to his squad.

From Los Angeles Times

He was on fumes when the final whistle sounded.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bristle 
• chafe 
• rave 
• seethe