fuelnoun
uk/ˈfjuː.əl/us/ˈfjuː.əl/B1 [ C or U ] a substance that is used to provide heat or power, usually by being burned:
Wood, coal, oil, petrol, and gas are all different kinds of fuel.
Plutonium is a fuel used to produce nuclear energy.
nuclear fuel
unleaded fuel
The new exhaust system, it is claimed, will lower fuel consumption.
[ U ] anything that keeps people's ideas or feelings active, or makes them stronger:
Reports in today's newspapers have added fuel to the controversy (= made it worse).
More examples
- Today's vehicles use two kinds of fuel - petrol and diesel.
- The new tax will put 8% on fuel prices.
- Lead is added to fuel to make car engines run more smoothly.
- The car blew up when flames reached its fuel tank.
- We'll have to stop for fuel on the way to the airport.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Fuels
- -fired
- alternative energy
- anthracite
- biodiesel
- biomass
- briquette
- coal-fired
- coke
- denatured alcohol
- fuel poverty
- fuel rod
- fuel-efficient
- gas
- gasometer
- hickory chips
- oil
- oil-fired
- propellant
- slack
- wind farm
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Causing things to happen
Idiom(s)
add fuel to the fire
fuelverb [ T ]
uk/ˈfjuː.əl/us/ˈfjuː.əl/-ll- or US usually -l-to supply a system with a substance that can be burned to provide heat or power:
Our heating is fuelled by gas.
We have a gas-fuelled heating system.
petrol/hydrogen-fuelled cars
Something that fuels a feeling or a type of behaviour increases it or makes it stronger:
The rapid promotion of the director's son has itself fuelled resentment within the company.
The president's speech fuelled speculation that she is about to resign.
More examples
- A huge amount of hydrogen is needed to fuel to rocket.
- The rumours have been fuelled by speculation in the press.
- The diesel in this tank fuels both of the ship's motors.
- The engine had been converted so that it could be fuelled by unleaded petrol.
- Her ambition was fuelled by her older sister's achievements.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Fuels
- -fired
- alternative energy
- anthracite
- biodiesel
- biomass
- briquette
- coal-fired
- coke
- denatured alcohol
- fuel poverty
- fuel rod
- fuel-efficient
- gas
- gasometer
- hickory chips
- oil
- oil-fired
- propellant
- slack
- wind farm
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Becoming and making stronger