lighter fluid

noun

1

: the liquid in a lighter (such as a cigarette lighter) that is its fuel

2

: a liquid accelerant used especially to ignite charcoal briquettes for grilling food

The average back-yard chef, wishing to cook hamburgers, tries to ignite the charcoal via the Squirt, Light and Wait Method, wherein you squirt lighter fluid on a pile of briquettes, light the pile, then wait until they have turned a uniform grey.

—Dave Barry

Examples of lighter fluid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Light coals using lighter fluid, an electric starter, or a chimney starter. — Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026

Paige helped with finishing touches like adding the mailbox, installing the storm door, and details like providing charcoal, lighter fluid and a set of tools for the new grill on the new deck. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Harwood, meanwhile, set up a table and poured lighter fluid on it. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

Police said Hopson's DNA was found on the lighter fluid bottle and on a ski mask recovered from the car. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lighter fluid

• druid
• superfluid