petrol

Everyday

Petrol is a liquid fuel made from oil that is put into cars and other engines to make them go. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life: filling up at the petrol station. In science and geography: petrol comes from crude oil, it burns and gives off gases that pollute the air; electric cars use no petrol. Safety: petrol catches fire easily and its fumes are harmful.

Examples

• Dad put petrol in the car. tree →
• We stopped at the petrol station. tree →
• Petrol is made from oil. tree →
• Petrol catches fire very easily, so never play with it. tree →
• Electric cars do not need petrol. tree →
• The price of petrol went up. tree →
• The lawnmower runs on petrol. tree →

Note

Uncountable: some petrol, not "a petrol". UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland say "petrol"; USA and Canada say "gas" or "gasoline". "Petrol station" = "gas station". Not the same as diesel.