fuel

¹fu·el

noun, often attributive \ˈfyü(-ə)l\

Definition of FUEL

1

a : a material used to produce heat or power by burning

b : nutritive material

c : a material from which atomic energy can be liberated especially in a reactor

2

: a source of sustenance or incentive : reinforcement

Examples of FUEL

1. I had the fuel pump replaced on my car.
2. These latest scandals will provide further fuel for his political opponents.
3. These latest accusations will only add fuel to the controversy.
4. The controversy continues to rage, and these latest accusations will only add fuel to the fire.

Origin of FUEL

Middle English fewel, from Anglo-French fuail, feuaile, from Vulgar Latin *focalia, from Latin focus hearth

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FUEL

Synonyms

energy, power

Related Words

kindling, propellant (also propellent); force

Other Energy Engineering Terms

fusion, scram

²fuel

verb

fueled or fuelledfuel·ing or fuel·ling

Definition of FUEL

transitive verb

1

: to provide with fuel

2

: support, stimulate <movement is fueled by massive grants-in-aid — Allen Schick>

intransitive verb

: to take in fuel —often used with up

Examples of FUEL

1. The airplanes were fueled in midair.
2. The criticism she has faced has only fueled her determination to succeed.
3. Inflation was fueled by high prices.
4. The strong economy has fueled the construction of new homes.

First Known Use of FUEL

1592

Rhymes with FUEL

boule, boulle, cool, drool, fool, ghoul, gul, mewl, mule, pool, Poole, pul, pule, rule, school, spool, stool, tool, tulle, yule