flammable

Everyday

Flammable means easily set on fire and burning quickly. tree →

In the lessons

In science and safety lessons, flammable materials include paper, petrol, some gases, aerosol cans and some clothes; flammable labels warn us to keep them away from flames. In everyday life: «Keep away from fire», «highly flammable». Phrases: «highly flammable», «flammable liquid».

Examples

• Petrol is highly flammable. tree →
• Keep flammable things away from the candle. tree →
• The can has a «flammable» warning sign. tree →
• Paper is flammable but metal is not. tree →
• Never spray aerosol cans near a flame; they are flammable. tree →
• Choose costumes that are not flammable. tree →
• In science we sorted materials into flammable and non-flammable. tree →

Note

Big trap: «flammable» and «inflammable» mean the SAME — both mean it burns easily. The opposite is «non-flammable» or «non-combustible». Safety: never play with matches or lighters, and keep flammable things away from heaters. Not a number word.