acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈa-sə-ˌtōn 

: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C₃H₆O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine

acetonic

ˌa-sə-ˈtä-nik 

adjective

Examples of acetone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Before applying rubbing alcohol or acetone, test the solvent on an inconspicuous area of the garment, such as an inside seam, to check for colorfastness, Romine says. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026

For me, this means quickly going over them with acetone and then applying a base coat, two color coats, and a top coat. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026

For ink and permanent marker stains, blot with a solvent like rubbing alcohol or acetone first. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026

Acetoacetate is the first type of ketone your body produces, which can then be used as energy, converted into beta-hydroxybutyrate or broken down in acetone. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétone, from (esprit pyro-)acétique, literally, "pyro-acetic spirit," an earlier name for acetone + -one -one

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acetone

• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone
• dithizone

Kids Definition

acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn 

: an easily evaporated fragrant flammable liquid compound used chiefly to dissolve or to make chemical compounds

Medical Definition

acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn 

: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C₃H₆O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine

called also propanone

acetonic

ˌas-ə-ˈtän-ik 

adjective