smoggy
UK[ˈsmɒɡi]US[ˈsmɑːɡi]
adj
full of or characterized by smog; having poor air quality due to a mixture of smoke and fog.
Morpheme Breakdown
smog
y
smog
smoke and fog
y
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'smoggy' is a modern english derivative formed from the 20th-century portmanteau 'smog', which itself is a blend of the words 'smoke' and 'fog'. the suffix '-y' is a prolific english adjectival suffix with germanic origins, specifically from old english '-ig', used to denote the quality or characteristic of the root noun. therefore, 'smoggy' literally means 'characterized by smog', directly describing an atmosphere polluted by this specific haze. its formation follows a straightforward and transparent english pattern of appending a common suffix to a newly created compound noun.
Analysis
Structure: smog (smoke and fog) + y (adjective suffix)
smog (blend of 'smoke' and 'fog', 20th century English coinage) + y (adjective-forming suffix, meaning 'characterized by' or 'full of', from old english -ig).
Examples
the view from the hill was obscured on the smoggy morning.
health advisories are issued when the city becomes particularly smoggy.
we decided to stay indoors due to the smoggy conditions.