soot

1 of 2

noun

ˈsu̇t 

ˈsət,

ˈsüt 

: a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke

especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke

soot

2 of 2

verb

sooted; sooting; soots

transitive verb

: to coat or cover with soot

Examples of soot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Visible Signs of Rust, Cracks, or Corrosion One of the surest signs that a furnace needs to be replaced is visible rusting, cracks, soot, or corrosion. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2024

Dying stars exhale hot stellar winds; any carbon swept up in these winds essentially burns up, producing stellar soot. —Elise Cutts, WIRED, 22 Dec. 2024

France – and much of the world – despaired as the 860-year-old cathedral’s roof caved in, strewing the stone floor below with soot. —Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024

The reasons for the emergence of this vast mountain — 636 million metric tons at the end of June, sufficient to cover Singapore in a layer of soot nearly a meter deep — aren’t a great mystery. —David Fickling, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sōt; akin to Old Irish suide soot, Old English sittan to sit

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

soot

noun

ˈsu̇t,

ˈsət,

ˈsüt

: a black powder formed when something is burned

especially : the fine powder consisting chiefly of carbon that colors smoke