definitions

flammable

[ flam-uh-buh l ]
/ ˈflæm ə bəl /

adjective

easily set on fire; combustible; inflammable.

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Why Do “Flammable” And “Inflammable” Mean The Same Thing?Why are these two words so confusing? Well, flammable and inflammable both mean “able to be set on fire.” Strangely, the "in" prefix in inflammable doesn't make the word mean "not flammable," as you might think.
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Nearby words

flamingo, flamingo-flower, flaminian way, flamininus, flaminius, flammable, flammarion, flammarion, camille, flamsteed, flamsteed, john, flamy

Origin of flammable

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

Related forms

flam·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

/ (ˈflæməbəl) /

adjective

liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable

Derived Forms

flammability, 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