Smaug is a dragon in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fiction.
He is the main antagonist of The Hobbit, occupying the Lonely Mountain and guarding the hoard of treasure taken from the Dwarves of Erebor. Smaug is portrayed as intelligent, immensely powerful, and highly skilled at conversation as well as destruction.
Bilbo Baggins enters the mountain and speaks with Smaug while trying to learn about the dragon’s defenses. During their exchange, Smaug notices a missing cup from his treasure and later discovers that Bilbo has a ring and has been inside the mountain. The dragon then attacks Lake-town.
Smaug is eventually killed by Bard the Bowman, who uses a black arrow and strikes a vulnerable area in the dragon’s body. Smaug is therefore not a Balrog or another kind of monster. His role is specifically that of a fire-breathing dragon associated with greed, treasure, and ruined kingdoms.