petrol
4 synonyms for petrol, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A refined liquid fuel made from petroleum, used to power most cars and small engines (called "gasoline" or "gas" in American English).
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
gasolene
How to use petrol
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
petrol station
unleaded petrol
petrol tank
petrol price
Etymology
From French pétrole, ultimately from Greek petra ("rock") plus elaion ("oil") — literally "rock oil."
Full origin of petrol →Frequently asked questions
What does “petrol” mean?
The word “petrol” means a refined liquid fuel made from petroleum, used to power most cars and small engines (called "gasoline" or "gas" in American English). In plain terms, the fuel used in most cars — called "gas" or "gasoline" in the US.
How do you pronounce “petrol”?
“Petrol” is pronounced PEHT-ruhl (/ˈpɛt.ɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “petrol” in a sentence?
Here is “petrol” used in a sentence: “We stopped to fill the tank with petrol before the motorway.”
What is another word for “petrol”?
Words with a similar meaning to “petrol” include gasoline and gas.
What part of speech is “petrol”?
“Petrol” is a noun.
Where does the word “petrol” come from?
The word “petrol” comes from French. From French pétrole, ultimately from Greek petra ("rock") plus elaion ("oil") — literally "rock oil.".
Is “petrol” a common word?
“Petrol” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between petrol and gasoline?
Petrol and gasoline are the same refined liquid fuel made from petroleum; the difference is purely regional terminology. "Petrol" is the standard term in British English, while "gasoline" or "gas" is used in American English.
Is petrol the same as diesel?
No, petrol and diesel are different fuels used in different types of engines. Petrol is the refined liquid fuel used to power most cars and small engines in British English usage, while diesel is a separate, denser fuel used in diesel engines.
Do Americans say petrol or gas?
Americans say gasoline or gas rather than petrol. Petrol is the British English term for the same refined liquid fuel used to power most cars and small engines.
