Ember in Irish (Smól): Meaning, Pronunciation & Examples

Q: What is the Irish for ember?

The Irish for ember is smól (pronounced “smohl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is smóil. Depending on context it can also mean cinder or snuff.

Q: What is the plural of ember in Irish?

The plural of smól is smóil; with the article, na smóil means “the embers”. The genitive plural is smól, as in teas na smól (the heat of the embers).

Q: Does smól have more than one meaning?

Yes. Smól can mean ember, cinder or snuff, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “ember” in Irish

Irish:: smól
English:: ember, cinder, snuff
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine, first declension
Pronunciation:: “smohl” /sˠmˠoːlˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: smóil (embers)
Genitive singular:: smóil, an smóil (e.g. solas an smóil, the light of the ember)
Genitive plural:: smól, na smól (e.g. teas na smól, the heat of the embers)

What does “smól” mean?

“Smól” has three alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

ember: A small piece of coal or wood still glowing in a dying fire.Also: live coal, glowing coal, coal.

2 other meanings: cinder or snuff

2cinder: A small piece of something that has been burnt or charred.Also: burnt piece, charred piece.
3snuff: The burnt end of a candle wick.Also: candle snuff, burnt wick.

Other Irish words for ember: smeachóid (ember)

“Smól” with the article

The plural of ember in Irish is smóil. Here is smól after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an smól

the ember

No change after an

na smóil

the embers

Plural: no change after na

“Smól” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using smól, the Irish word for ember.

Ní raibh fágtha sa tine ach smól.

There was nothing left in the fire but an ember.

Shéid sí ar an smól go dtí gur las sé.

She blew on the ember until it caught.

Bhí na smóil fós dearg ar maidin.

The embers were still red in the morning.

Thit smól amach ar an urlár.

An ember fell out onto the floor.

Choinnigh mé mo lámha os cionn na smól.

I held my hands over the embers.

Bhí teas an smóil fós le mothú.

The heat of the ember could still be felt.

Chuir sé móin ar na smóil le tine a dhéanamh.

He put turf on the embers to make a fire.

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Ember in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for ember?

The Irish for ember is smól (pronounced “smohl”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is smóil. Depending on context it can also mean cinder or snuff.

How do you pronounce smól in Irish?

Smól is said like “smohl” (IPA /sˠmˠoːlˠ/).

What is the plural of ember in Irish?

The plural of smól is smóil; with the article, na smóil means “the embers”. The genitive plural is smól, as in teas na smól (the heat of the embers).

Does smól have more than one meaning?

Yes. Smól can mean ember, cinder or snuff, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How is 'smól' different from 'aibhleog' and 'gríosach'?

'Smól' and 'aibhleog' both mean a single live coal or ember, while 'gríosach' is the mass of hot embers and ashes in a fire.

Is 'smól' related to the bird 'smólach'?

No, 'smólach' (thrush) is a separate word; 'smól' means an ember or cinder.

Ember in Irish (Smól): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage