InflammableAble to burn quickly; likely to catch fire easily. is an adjective used for something that catches fire easily. In modern English, it means the same thing as flammableAble to catch fire easily., though the word can sometimes cause confusionA state of uncertainty or misunderstanding about what something means. because it looks like it should mean the opposite.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪnˈflæməbəl/
Easy pronunciation: in-FLAM-uh-buhl (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable: FLAM.
This is the fire-related adjective meaning easily ignited.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Inflammable Meaning
able to burn easily
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: easily ignited; likely to catch fire quickly
Example: Keep inflammable materials away from heat and open flames.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- flammable — Direct synonym for the fire-related sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Inflammable Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- flammable
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes think inflammable means the opposite of flammable, but it does not.
- It is easy to confuse inflammable with a negative form because of the prefix in-, but the word still means 'easily caught fire.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does inflammable mean the same as flammable?
Yes. Inflammable means the same as flammable: able to catch fire easily.
Why is inflammable confusing?
Because the prefix in- can look negative, but in this word it does not mean 'not.' The word still refers to something that burns easily.
Is inflammable common in everyday use?
It is understood, but flammable is usually preferred in modern safety writing because it is clearer.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.