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acetone
[ as-i-tohn ]
/ ˈæs ɪˌtoʊn /
See the most commonly confused word associated with denatured alcohol
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noun Chemistry.
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.
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QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Also called dimethylketone.
OTHER WORDS FROM acetone
ac·e·ton·ic [as-i-ton-ik], /ˌæs ɪˈtɒn ɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby acetone
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use acetone in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for acetone
acetone
/ (ˈæsɪˌtəʊn) /
noun
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 3Systematic name: propanone
Derived forms of acetone
acetonic (ˌæsɪˈtɒnɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for acetone
C19: from German Azeton, from aceto- + -one
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
[ ăs′ĭ-tōn′ ]
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
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