countable/uncountable a substance such as oil, gas, coal, or wood that produces heat or power when it is burned. Coal and wood are sometimes called solid fuel
Drivers are being encouraged to save fuel.
a shortage of food and fuel
Synonyms and related words
Fuel and using fuel
biofuel
biogas
biomass
1a
uncountable petrol or diesel used in vehicles
The stolencar was abandoned when it ran out of fuel.
a car that runs on unleaded fuel
Synonyms and related words
Oil used as fuel and in chemical products
barrel
benzene
black gold
1b
only before nounused as fuel, or relating to fuel
fuel oil
fuel consumption
fuel tank/pump/gauge
Synonyms and related words
Fuel and using fuel
biofuel
biogas
biomass
2
uncountable mainly journalismsomething that someone can use to support their argument
fuel to/for:
Their supportgives fuel to the criticism that the government is moving to the right.
add fuel to something (=make people argue more):
Reports from Manila only added fuel to the controversy.
Synonyms and related words
Opposition
pushback
opposition
disagreement
fuel
noun
US /ˈfjuəl/
Other entries for this word
fuelverb
fuel
dual-fueladjective
flex-fueladjective
fuel cellnoun
fossil fuelnoun
solid fuelnoun
fuel injectionnoun
fuel tankeringnoun
add fuel to the fire/flamesphrase
fuel up
Word Forms
singular
fuel
plural
fuels
DEFINITIONS2
1
countable/uncountable a substance such as oil, gas, coal, or wood that produces heat or power when it is burned. Coal and wood are sometimes called solid fuel
Drivers are being encouraged to save fuel.
a shortage of food and fuel
Synonyms and related words
Fuel and using fuel
biofuel
biogas
biomass
1a
uncountable gas or diesel used in vehicles
The stolencar was abandoned when it ran out of fuel.
a car that runs on unleaded fuel
Synonyms and related words
Oil used as fuel and in chemical products
barrel
benzene
black gold
1b
only before nounused as fuel, or relating to fuel
fuel oil
fuel consumption
fuel tank/pump/gauge
Synonyms and related words
Fuel and using fuel
biofuel
biogas
biomass
2
uncountable mainly journalismsomething that someone can use to support their argument
fuel to/for:
The report’s conclusions give fuel to the criticism that the administration has abandoned the principles of the party.
add fuel to something (=make people argue more):
Reports from Manila only added fuel to the controversy.
Synonyms and related words
Opposition
pushback
opposition
disagreement
fuel
verb
UK /ˈfjuːəl/
Other entries for this word
fuelnoun
dual-fueladjective
flex-fueladjective
fuel cellnoun
fossil fuelnoun
solid fuelnoun
fuel injectionnoun
fuel tankeringnoun
add fuel to the fire/flamesphrase
solidfuel at fuel
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
fuel
he/she/it
fuels
present participle
fuelling
past tense
fuelled
past participle
fuelled
DEFINITIONS2
1
transitive mainly journalismto make something increase or become worse, especially something unpleasant
Graf’s back problemfuelledspeculation that she might soonretire.
People’s fear of crime is fuelled by sensationalistreports.