flammable
[flam-uh-buh l]
- easily set on fire; combustible; inflammable.
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Origin of flammable
Usage note
See inflammable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
flammable
- liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable
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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
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Word Origin and History for flammability
flammable
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper