flammable

[flam-uh-buh l]

adjective

easily set on fire; combustible; inflammable.

Origin of flammable

1805–15; < Latin flammā(re) to set on fire + -ble

Related formsflam·ma·bil·i·ty, noun

Usage note

See inflammable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for flammability

flammable

adjective

liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable

Derived Formsflammability, noun

usage

Flammable and inflammable are interchangeable when used of the properties of materials. Flammable is, however, often preferred for warning labels as there is less likelihood of misunderstanding (inflammable being sometimes taken to mean not flammable). Inflammable is preferred in figurative contexts: this could prove to be an inflammable situation

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

Word Origin and History for flammability

flammable

adj.

1813, from Latin flammare "to set on fire" (from flamma; see flame) + -able.