flammable
Definition
- Adjective:
- Easily ignited; capable of burning quickly and easily: Describes a material or substance that can catch fire readily when exposed to a source of ignition, such as a spark, flame, or heat.
Usage
- The word "flammable" is used as a standard warning label on containers of hazardous materials. It is the preferred term in formal and technical contexts (e.g., safety data sheets, industrial labeling) to indicate fire risk.
- It is crucial to store flammable liquids away from heat sources.
- Note: "Flammable" and "inflammable" mean the same thing (easily set on fire). "Flammable" is now more common to avoid potential confusion with the prefix "in-," which can sometimes mean "not."
Examples
- Adjective:
- Gasoline is highly flammable and should be handled with extreme caution.
- The warehouse contained boxes of flammable materials, so smoking was strictly prohibited.
- Always check if a cleaning product is flammable before using it near an open flame.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Regulatory Context: In safety protocols, materials are often classified by their flash point, with "flammable" having a lower flash point than "combustible."
- According to OSHA regulations, a liquid with a flash point below 100°F is considered flammable.
Variants and Related Words
- Inflammable (adj): (Archaic or less common) Having the same meaning as "flammable" (easily set on fire). Warning: Due to its prefix, it can be misunderstood to mean "not flammable," so "flammable" is preferred for clarity.
- Nonflammable (adj): Not easily ignited; resistant to catching fire.
- The lab coat was made from a nonflammable fabric.
- Flammability (n): The quality of being flammable.
- The flammability of the substance was tested in a controlled environment.
Synonyms
- Combustible: Capable of catching fire and burning. (Note: Often used for solids or materials that burn less readily than those labeled "flammable.")
- Ignitable: Capable of being ignited.
Antonyms
- Nonflammable: Not easily set on fire.
- Fireproof: Designed to resist burning.
- Incombustible: Not capable of being burned.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- (To be) a flammable situation: A figurative use describing a tense circumstance that could easily escalate into conflict or trouble.
- The political disagreement created a flammable situation in the negotiations.
Adjective
-
easily ignited
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