noun
-
a distillation product from coal tar boiling in the approximate range 80–170°C and containing aromatic hydrocarbons
-
a distillation product from petroleum boiling in the approximate range 100–200°C and containing aliphatic hydrocarbons: used as a solvent and in petrol
-
an obsolete name for petroleum
Other Word Forms
- naphthous adjective
Etymology
Origin of naphtha
1565–75; < Latin < Greek náphthas, perhaps < Iranian *nafta, derivative of *nab- to be damp; compare Avestan napta- damp, Persian naft naphtha
Compare meaning
How does naphtha compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Naphtha is a flammable liquid made from distilling petroleum. It looks like gasoline. Naphtha is used to dilute heavy oil to help move it through pipelines, to make high-octane gas, to make lighter fluid, and even to clean metal. This unusual-looking word refers to a dangerous substance: naphtha is a liquid hydrocarbon mixture that is extremely flammable and volatile. If you're around naphtha and you light a match, Kaboom! Naphtha is created by distilling petroleum, and it's a component of gasoline and kerosene. The main purpose of naphtha is as a solvent, which means it's used to dissolve other substances, which is why it can be used to clean metal. Without fossil fuels, we would have no naphtha.
Vocabulary lists containing naphtha
The House on Mango Street
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Subtle Knife
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One, the Auroura, appeared to be carrying the petrochemical ingredient naphtha from Iran, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
On Monday, Japanese toilet giant Toto halted orders for prefabricated bath units because of a shortage of naphtha, a critical petrochemical derived from crude oil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
Around 70% of Japan’s consumption of naphtha, a key feedstock for plastics, comes from the Middle East.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
"We estimate that naphtha inventories currently stand at around 20 days" in Japan, the world's fourth-biggest economy, analysts at Nomura warned last week.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
That was something else to think of: the matches were running out, and so was the naphtha for the stove; she must keep the fire alight day and night from now on.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
