Definitions
- Referring to materials that can easily catch fire and burn. - Describing substances that are highly combustible and pose a fire hazard. - Talking about liquids, gases, or solids that can ignite and burn rapidly when exposed to heat or flame.
- Referring to materials that can easily catch fire and burn. - Describing substances that are highly combustible and pose a fire hazard. - Talking about liquids, gases, or solids that can ignite and burn rapidly when exposed to heat or flame.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe materials that can easily catch fire and burn.
- 2Both words are used to indicate a potential fire hazard.
- 3Both words refer to substances that can ignite and burn rapidly when exposed to heat or flame.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Flammable is more commonly used in North America, while inflammable is more commonly used in Europe.
- 2Misunderstanding: Inflammable can be misunderstood as meaning 'not flammable' due to the prefix 'in-', which can lead to confusion and potential safety hazards.
- 3Formality: Flammable is generally considered more formal than inflammable.
- 4Connotation: Flammable is often associated with warning labels and safety precautions, while inflammable can be associated with medical conditions involving inflammation.
Remember this!
Flammable and inflammable are synonyms that both describe materials that can easily catch fire and burn. The difference between the two words lies in their etymology, usage, potential for misunderstanding, formality, and connotation. While flammable is more commonly used in North America and considered more formal, inflammable is more common in Europe and can be misunderstood as meaning 'not flammable'.
