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2006-08-11 08:03:47 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
What's the story - some answers say it's the same, and some say it's the opposite - can anyone clarify definitively? Thx.
2006-08-11 08:26:38 · update #1
flammable or inflammable? Although inflammable looks like the opposite of flammable, the two words actually have the same meaning, both describing something that is easily set on fire. The in- prefix of inflammable means "into," rather than "not," and the adjective is ultimately derived from the same Latin word as the verb inflame. In view of the potentially disastrous consequences of such misinterpretation, flammable has become the word of choice, especially in the labeling of commercial and industrial products. The word most frequently used to convey the opposite meaning is nonflammable.
2006-08-11 08:12:46 · answer #1 · answered by minty1 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
From the Oxford Dictionary:
flammable
/flammb’l/
• adjective easily set on fire.
— DERIVATIVES flammability noun.
— USAGE The words flammable and inflammable have the same meaning. It is, however, safer to use flammable to avoid ambiguity, as the in- prefix of inflammable can give the impression that the word means ‘non-flammable’
2006-08-11 15:14:09 · answer #2 · answered by »»» seagull ««« 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your taking the P*** right, Flammable, will burn, take a guess at what Inflammable means.
2006-08-11 15:07:17 · answer #3 · answered by ♣ My Brainhurts ♣ 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Inflammable is American... they mean the same thing ("You will be on fire if you touch this!") If it meant something was not flammable it would be iMflammable.
2006-08-11 15:05:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Inflammable means easily inflamed excited, or angered. i.e inflammation.
Flammable means capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly
2006-08-11 15:16:02 · answer #5 · answered by ifawnzilla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flammable means some-one can 'light your fire'
Inflammable means that you are frigid.
2006-08-11 15:08:53 · answer #6 · answered by langholmlassie 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
flammable means can catch fire easily, these comes in a form of gas and liquid. Example of gas ;carbon dioxide,helium......example of liquid; gasoline, alcohol
inflammble the opposite
2006-08-11 15:22:08 · answer #7 · answered by STUDENT MARY 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No difference
2006-08-11 15:07:36 · answer #8 · answered by Moggy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people have made themselves look like arses on this one lol
2006-08-11 15:25:10 · answer #9 · answered by MsCymru 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Flammable means that it will catch fire and inflammable means that
it will not catch fire.
2006-08-11 15:21:43 · answer #10 · answered by Ricky 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋