noun
fuel
FYOO-uhl
noun
1
A substance burned or used to produce energy, such as gasoline, coal, or wood.
"The car ran out of fuel on the motorway."
"They stocked up on fuel for the generator before the storm."
verb
1
To supply something with fuel, or to strengthen or intensify a feeling or situation.
"Rumors fueled speculation about the company's future."
"They fueled the plane before takeoff."
How to Use Fuel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething burned for energy, or, as a verb, to supply energy or to intensify a situation.
Common pairings
fuel a fire
fuel prices
fuel speculation
Word Forms
fueled past tense, fuelled past tense, fuels plural, fuels singular
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The car ran out of _____ on the motorway.
Etymology
From Old French fouaille, "firewood," from Latin focus, "hearth" — the same root that gave English focus.