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?English is a trickster of a language, evidenced by the fact that two words that appear to be antonyms can actually mean the exact same thing. For the most part we manage to bumble along without confusing the two, and can figure out which meaning is intended based on context (although in the case of regardless and irregardless some extra time is needed for teeth-gnashing). …
Nearby words
- flamingo,
- flamingo-flower,
- flaminian way,
- flamininus,
- flaminius,
- flammarion,
- flammarion, camille,
- flamsteed,
- flamsteed, john,
- flamy
Origin of flammable
Usage note
See inflammable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
flammable
/ (ˈflæməbəl) /
adjective
liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable
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
flammable
1813, from Latin flammare "to set on fire" (from flamma; see flame) + -able.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper