gasoline

gas-o-line · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as fuel for internal-combustion engines (North American usage; called "petrol" in British English).

  2. 2.

    (informal) Energy or enthusiasm.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    gasoline station — a place where gasoline is sold (also "gas station")
  • •
    unleaded gasoline — gasoline without lead additives
  • •
    premium gasoline — higher-octane fuel
  • •
    pour gasoline on the fire — to make a bad situation worse

Related words

See also: diesel, fuel, oil, petrol
Synonyms: fuel, gas, petrol

Etymology

Coined in the 1860s from gas + -ol (denoting oils) + -ine (chemical suffix). Originally a trade name, it became the standard American term for motor fuel.