SMOKESCREEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does smokescreen mean? 

• SMOKESCREEN (noun)
  The noun SMOKESCREEN has 2 senses:

1. (military) screen consisting of a cloud of smoke that obscures movements

2. an action intended to conceal or confuse or obscure

  Familiarity information: SMOKESCREEN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SMOKESCREEN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(military) screen consisting of a cloud of smoke that obscures movements

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

smoke screen; smokescreen

Hypernyms ("smokescreen" is a kind of...):

screen (a protective covering consisting of netting; can be mounted in a frame)

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An action intended to conceal or confuse or obscure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

smoke screen; smokescreen

Context example:

requesting new powers of surveillance is just a smokescreen to hide their failures

Hypernyms ("smokescreen" is a kind of...):

concealing; concealment; hiding (the activity of keeping something secret)