flammable

adjective

flam·ma·ble ˈfla-mə-bəl

Synonyms of flammable next

: capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly

flammable noun

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Why Inflammable Is Not the Opposite of Flammable

Combustible and incombustible are opposites but flammable and inflammable are synonyms. Why? The in- of incombustible is a common prefix meaning "not," but the in- of inflammable is a different prefix. Inflammable comes from Latin inflammare ("to inflame"), itself from in- (here meaning "in" or "into") plus flammare ("to flame"). Flammable also comes from flammare. In the early 20th century, firefighters worried that people might think inflammable meant "not able to catch fire," so they adopted flammable and nonflammable as official safety labels and encouraged their use to prevent confusion. In general use, flammable is now the preferred term for describing things that can catch fire, but inflammable is still occasionally used with that meaning as well.

Examples of flammable in a Sentence

avoid wearing loose flammable clothing when using the blowtorch

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Garages typically house items like vehicles, flammable liquids and chemicals, tools, and various home components that have the potential to catch fire. —

Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2024 A number of western Hamilton County residents have filed lawsuits after the leak of a toxic and flammable chemical near Cleves that prompted an evacuation order affecting homes and businesses in the surrounding area. —

Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024 This clear, flammable liquid has a distinct smell and taste. —

Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024 Research shows that cost-effective projects to reduce flammable brush and build homes with fire-resistant materials can reduce the chances that a house will burn. —

Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flammable