Pronunciation: [sˈʊt] (IPA) 
The word "soot" is spelled with four letters - s, o, o, and t. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /sut/. The first sound is an unvoiced sibilant /s/, followed by a short vowel sound /ʊ/ represented by letter o. The second sound is also /ʊ/ followed by a voiceless alveolar plosive /t/. The word "soot" refers to a black, powdery substance that is formed by the incomplete burning of organic matter such as coal, wood, or oil.
Soot is a noun that refers to the black, powdery substance composed primarily of carbon particles that results from the incomplete combustion or burning of organic materials, such as coal, wood, or oil. It is commonly produced by fires, furnaces, engines, and other sources that generate flames or involve the burning of fuels. Soot particles are microscopic and often cling to surfaces such as walls, chimneys, or objects in close proximity to the source of combustion.
Soot is characterized by its dark coloring, fine texture, and ability to easily smear or smudge when touched. It is known for its association with air pollution, as the black particles can become airborne and contribute to the formation of smog. When inhaled, soot can also have negative health effects, as it may contain various toxic substances, including carcinogens and fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Cleaning soot can be a challenging task due to its tendency to adhere strongly to surfaces. Therefore, specific cleaning techniques or special products may be required to effectively remove soot stains. Additionally, soot can be utilized for certain purposes, such as pigment for dyes or ink, and has been historically used in traditional artwork, printing, or candle-making.
• To cover or foul with soot.
• Condensed smoke.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "soot" originated from the Old English term "sot", which dates back to around the 9th century. It can be traced further back to the Proto-Germanic word "sotam", meaning "soot" or "grime". The Proto-Germanic term likely evolved from the Proto-Indo-European root "*seh2d-", which means "to sit" or "to settle". This root was also the source of words related to sediment or settle, such as the Old High German "sot (adjective)" and Old Norse "sotr", both meaning "black". Over time, the Old English term "sot" eventually developed into "soot", the word we use today to describe the fine black particles produced by incomplete combustion.
