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Added 9 October 2026

petrol

/ˈpɛt.ɹəl/ noun

Latin root: petroleum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about petrol at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A fluid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of octane, commonly used as a motor fuel.
A motor vehicle powered by petrol (as opposed to diesel).

verb

To fill or supply (a vehicle, etc.) with petrol.

Origin

Borrowed from French (essence de) pétrole, from Medieval Latin petroleum, from Ancient Greek πετρέλαιον (petrélaion, “oil of the rock”), from πέτρα (pétra, “stone, rock”)+ ἔλαιον (élaion, “olive oil, any oily substance”). Doublet of petroleum.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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