Added 21 October 2026
kerosene
/ˈkɛɹəsiːn/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about kerosene at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A thin, often colorless or blue or straw-colored petroleum-based fuel, heavier than gasoline/petrol or naphtha but lighter than diesel, used primarily as jet fuel but also for heating and lighting in some remote or impoverished areas.
The kerosene lasted all winter, so the furnace kept us always warm.
Origin
From Ancient Greek κηρός (kērós, “wax”) + -ene; a name trademarked in 1854. An older term for kerosene was carbon oil.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)