Definition

Adjective: - Resistant to catching fire: Describes a material or substance that is specially treated or naturally slow to ignite and burn, helping to prevent or slow the spread of fire.

Usage

The adjective "flame-retardant" is used directly before a noun to describe the property of that noun. It is a technical term commonly found in safety regulations, product descriptions, and material science.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The new building code requires all curtains in public spaces to be flame-retardant.
  • Children's pajamas are often made from flame-retardant fabric for added safety.
  • This flame-retardant coating can be applied to wood to improve its fire resistance.

Advanced Usage

• "to be flame-retardant": Used in a predicate adjective structure.
  • The insulation material is flame-retardant and meets all safety standards.

Variants and Related Words

• Flame retardant (noun): A substance added to a material to make it flame-retardant.
  • The foam contains a flame retardant to reduce its flammability.
• Flame resistance (noun): The property of being resistant to fire.
  • The flame resistance of the material was tested in a laboratory.
• Fire-retardant (adjective): A synonym with essentially the same meaning.
  • They used fire-retardant paint on the steel beams.

Synonyms

• Fire-resistant: Able to withstand fire or great heat.
• Non-flammable: Not easily set on fire.
• Incombustible: Incapable of catching fire.

Notes on Meaning

The term specifically indicates a slowed or inhibited ignition and burning process. It does not mean "fireproof" (completely impervious to fire). "Flame-retardant" materials can still burn under intense or prolonged exposure to flame, but they are designed to be significantly more resistant than standard materials.

Adjective

1. resistant to catching fire