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humo

oo-mohˈumo

“humo” means “smoke” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

smoke

Also: fume
NounmA1
Gray smoke billows upward from a small, red brick chimney against a bright blue sky, clearly illustrating the visible gas produced by burning.

📝 In Action

Había mucho humo saliendo de la chimenea.

A1

There was a lot of smoke coming out of the chimney.

El olor a humo me picaba los ojos.

A2

The smell of smoke was stinging my eyes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • echar humo – to give off smoke
  • una columna de humo – a column of smoke

hot air

Also: conceit, hype
NounmB2informal
A cartoonish figure stands boastfully, gesturing dramatically, while thin, dissipating puffs of smoke (representing empty promises or hot air) float away from their open mouth.

📝 In Action

Ese candidato solo vende humo, no tiene planes reales.

B2

That candidate is just selling hot air (making empty promises), he has no real plans.

Desde que lo ascendieron, el humo se le ha subido a la cabeza.

C1

Since he was promoted, the conceit has gone to his head (he has become arrogant).

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • vender humo – To make empty promises or boast about things that aren't true.
  • subírsele el humo a la cabeza – To become arrogant or conceited due to success.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "humo" in Spanish:

conceit→fume→hot air→hype→smoke→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: humo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'humo' in its figurative meaning (to mean boastfulness)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
humear(to smoke, to steam (verb)) — Verb
ahumar(to smoke (food, like meat or fish) (verb)) — Verb
ahumado(smoked (adjective)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *fūmus*, which also meant 'smoke' or 'fume.' The sound changed over time as Spanish developed.

First recorded: 11th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: fumoItalian: fumoFrench: fumée

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'smoke' a cigarette using 'humo'?

'Humo' is the noun (the smoke itself). To talk about the action of smoking, you must use the verb 'fumar.' For example, 'Ella fuma un cigarrillo' (She smokes a cigarette).

What is the difference between 'humo' and 'vapor'?

'Humo' usually refers to the visible product of something burning (like wood or a fire). 'Vapor' refers to steam or the gaseous state of water or other liquids, like from a kettle.