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

The device measures volatile organic compounds, especially acetone, which has long been associated with rising blood glucose. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Manucurist even has its own safe gel polish that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and peels off easily without acetone. —Melony Forcier, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026

Use acetone only as a last resort, test first, then finish by cleaning with mild soapy water. —Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026

Any acetone or nonacetone nail polish remover will do. —Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2025

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