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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- acetones
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
Rhymes for acetone
See all rhymes for acetone →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.
