diesel
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for diesel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A heavy fuel oil used in engines that ignite fuel through compression rather than a spark.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use diesel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Named after Rudolf Diesel, the German engineer who developed the compression-ignition engine in the 1890s.
Full origin of diesel →Frequently asked questions
What does “diesel” mean?
The word “diesel” means a heavy fuel oil used in engines that ignite fuel through compression rather than a spark. In plain terms, a fuel and engine type named after its inventor, ignited by compression rather than a spark plug.
How do you pronounce “diesel”?
“Diesel” is pronounced DEE-zuhl (/ˈdisəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “diesel” in a sentence?
Here is “diesel” used in a sentence: “The truck runs on diesel rather than regular petrol.”
What part of speech is “diesel”?
Depending on how it is used, “diesel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “diesel” come from?
The word “diesel” dates back to around 1890 and comes from German. Named after Rudolf Diesel, the German engineer who developed the compression-ignition engine in the 1890s.
Is “diesel” a common word?
“Diesel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “diesel” have?
“Diesel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy fuel oil used in engines that ignite fuel through compression rather than a spark.
What is the difference between diesel and petrol?
Diesel is a heavier fuel oil burned in engines that ignite the fuel by compression alone, whereas petrol engines ignite their fuel with a spark. Because the fuels and ignition systems differ, each fuel must only be used in the type of engine designed for it.
Can diesel refer to a vehicle as well as a fuel?
Yes. As well as naming the fuel, diesel can mean a diesel-powered engine or vehicle, so you can say someone "drives a diesel." The plural form diesels is common, as in "most of the taxis are diesels."