noun

acetone

A-suh-tohn

Acetone (noun) means a colourless, strong-smelling liquid solvent that evaporates quickly; used to remove nail polish and to thin paints and resins. Example: “She wiped the nail polish off with a cotton pad soaked in acetone.”

noun

A colourless, strong-smelling liquid solvent that evaporates quickly; used to remove nail polish and to thin paints and resins.

"She wiped the nail polish off with a cotton pad soaked in acetone."

"The lab stored the acetone in a sealed metal can because it is so flammable."

How to use acetone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA common solvent chemical, most familiar as the main ingredient in nail polish remover.

Common pairings

pure acetone acetone fumes nail polish remover containing acetone

Word forms

acetones plural

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She wiped the nail polish off with a cotton pad soaked in _____.

Etymology

From "acet-" (linked to vinegar) plus the chemical ending "-one," the same ending found in words like "ketone."

Synonyms

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propanone dimethyl ketone

Related words

propanone

Rhymes for acetone

one bone done gone none tone lone hone cone zone stone phone

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Frequently asked questions

What does “acetone” mean?

The word “acetone” means a colourless, strong-smelling liquid solvent that evaporates quickly; used to remove nail polish and to thin paints and resins. In plain terms, a common solvent chemical, most familiar as the main ingredient in nail polish remover.

How do you pronounce “acetone”?

“Acetone” is pronounced A-suh-tohn (/ˈæ.sə.toʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “acetone” in a sentence?

Here is “acetone” used in a sentence: “She wiped the nail polish off with a cotton pad soaked in acetone.”

What part of speech is “acetone”?

“Acetone” is a noun.

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