1
a
: a smoke, vapor, or gas especially when irritating or offensive
engine exhaust fumes
b
: an often noxious suspension of particles in a gas (such as air)
2
: something (such as an emotion) that impairs one's reasoning
sometimes his head gets a little hot with the fumes of patriotism—
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold3
: a state of excited irritation or anger
—usually used in the phrase in a fume
fumed; fuming
1
: to expose to or treat with fumes
2
: to give off in fumes
fuming thick black smoke
3
: to utter while in a state of excited irritation or anger
1
a
: to emit fumes
b
: to be in a state of excited irritation or anger
fretted and fumed over the delay
2
: to rise in or as if in fumes
Synonyms
Examples of fume in a Sentence
Verb
She's still fuming about not being invited to the party.
We sat there waiting for him, fuming with anger at the delay.
“They made these changes without even asking our opinion,” one employee fumed.
The volcano was fuming thick black smoke.
Recent Examples on the WebTony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
Individual sources of NOx and VOCs include any activities that burn fuel or release fumes into the air, including commuting in a gas car, mowing the lawn or doing home improvements with VOC paints or other chemicals.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2024
Will Daniel, Fortune, 26 June 2024
The company made a similar decision in 2019 over a clip that was slowed down to make then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appear drunk − even as Democrats fumed.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fume 
Noun
In a state filled with more than 100,000 unplugged oil and gas wells, environmental advocates say that defending the setbacks law is essential to eventually phase out planet-warming fossil fuels and protect residents who live near the toxic fumes released by drill sites.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
Individual sources of NOx and VOCs include any activities that burn fuel or release fumes into the air, including commuting in a gas car, mowing the lawn or doing home improvements with VOC paints or other chemicals.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2024
Verb
Boeing’s union boasts a proud, militant heritage—and members still fume over their skewering on the last contract
The IAM dates from 1888, when 17 machinists gathered in an Atlanta railroad pit under cloak of darkness, to form a union.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 26 June 2024
The company made a similar decision in 2019 over a clip that was slowed down to make then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appear drunk − even as Democrats fumed.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fume
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fume. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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