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.

FLAMMABLE meaning: 1. Something that is flammable burns easily: 2. Something that is flammable burns easily: 3. able…. Learn more.

Flammable applies to combustible materials that ignite easily and thus are more dangerous and more highly regulated. Less easily ignited less-vigorously burning materials are combustible.

FLAMMABLE definition: easily set on fire; combustible; inflammable. See examples of flammable used in a sentence.

Definition of flammable adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 14, 2025 · Back-formation from inflammable, which is used to avoid confusion with non-flammable, as the prefix in- is often used to mean "un-; non-", although it was originally meant …

Flammable chemicals, gases, cloth, or other things catch fire and burn easily. ...flammable liquids such as gasoline or kerosene.

Usage: Flammable and inflammable are interchangeable when used of the properties of materials. Flammable is, however, often preferred for warning labels as there is less likelihood …

Britannica Dictionary definition of FLAMMABLE [more flammable; most flammable] : capable of being set on fire and of burning quickly a flammable liquid a highly flammable fabric

Both flammable and inflammable mean the same thing—despite the fact that they look like opposites. Nonflammable for things that don't burn is an unambiguous option.