acetone

[ as-i-tohn ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a colorless, volatile, water-soluble, flammable liquid, C3H6O, usually derived by oxidation of isopropyl alcohol or by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates: used chiefly in paints and varnishes, as a general solvent, and in organic synthesis.

Compare Meanings

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Origin of acetone

1
First recorded in 1830–40; acet- + -one

Other words from acetone

  • ac·e·ton·ic [as-i-ton-ik], /ˌæs ɪˈtɒn ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby acetone

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use acetone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for acetone

acetone

/ (ˈæsɪˌtəʊn) /


noun
  1. a colourless volatile flammable pungent liquid, miscible with water, used in the manufacture of chemicals and as a solvent and thinner for paints, varnishes, and lacquers. Formula: CH 3 COCH 3: Systematic name: propanone

Origin of acetone

1
C19: from German Azeton, from aceto- + -one

Derived forms of acetone

  • acetonic (ˌæsɪˈtɒnɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for acetone

acetone

[ ăsĭ-tōn′ ]


  1. A colorless, volatile, extremely flammable liquid ketone that is widely used as a solvent, for example in nail-polish remover. Chemical formula: C3H6O.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.