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

No harsh odors and acetone-free. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

Team members conducted air tests and confirmed that acetone fumes were present in the building. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

It is often synthesized from acetone and hydrogen peroxide, appearing as a white crystalline powder. —Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

Follow the steps recommended for using rubbing alcohol, but substitute nail polish remover (acetone) as the solvent to dissolve the glue. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 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