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
Dave BarryExamples of lighter fluid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The children’s mother put lighter fluid on Shauna Beth and lit her on fire.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2024
Gloves and bleach were found in the front of the car while lighter fluid was found in the backseat.
—Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
There were also several knives, lighter fluid, a two-pound tub of Tannerite — used for exploding targets — two handguns with ammunition and 25 loose extra clips of bullets, as well as vests loaded with additional clips of ammunition.
—Jack Dura, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2024
Think of them as the original rechargeable hand warmer, using a lighter fluid or a related type of fuel to fire up a catalytic burner, which then heats the metal hand warmer for a long-lasting, super toasty effect.
—Ben Romans, Field & Stream, 25 Oct. 2023
After they were killed with gunshots to the back of their heads, the criminals started the blaze to cover up their crime, using paper products from the yogurt shop doused in lighter fluid.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2023
Deputies determined that Haight had entered the restaurant and squirted lighter fluid on an employee, then tried to set him on fire.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2023
Remove the burner before filling with lighter fluid, and use the fill cup to help reduce spills.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2023
Liquid items placed in the ear included shoe glue (added instead of ear drops), lighter fluid, candle wax and hydrogen peroxide.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 5 Nov. 2023
Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2024
Gloves and bleach were found in the front of the car while lighter fluid was found in the backseat.
—Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
There were also several knives, lighter fluid, a two-pound tub of Tannerite — used for exploding targets — two handguns with ammunition and 25 loose extra clips of bullets, as well as vests loaded with additional clips of ammunition.
—Jack Dura, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2024
Think of them as the original rechargeable hand warmer, using a lighter fluid or a related type of fuel to fire up a catalytic burner, which then heats the metal hand warmer for a long-lasting, super toasty effect.
—Ben Romans, Field & Stream, 25 Oct. 2023
After they were killed with gunshots to the back of their heads, the criminals started the blaze to cover up their crime, using paper products from the yogurt shop doused in lighter fluid.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2023
Deputies determined that Haight had entered the restaurant and squirted lighter fluid on an employee, then tried to set him on fire.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2023
Remove the burner before filling with lighter fluid, and use the fill cup to help reduce spills.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2023
Liquid items placed in the ear included shoe glue (added instead of ear drops), lighter fluid, candle wax and hydrogen peroxide.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 5 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lighter fluid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lighter fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter%20fluid. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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