# acetone

/ˈæsəˌtoʊn/ (US) · /ˈæsɪtˌəʊn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acetone
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a clear, colorless liquid with a strong smell. You often use it to clean your nails or remove paint because it dissolves things easily.

For teachers: a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid ketone with a pungent odor. It is a common solvent used in nail polish removers, paint thinners, and industrial cleaning agents.

## Examples

- She used acetone to remove the old nail polish.
- The technician used a small amount of acetone to clean the glassware before the experiment began.
- While acetone is a highly effective solvent for many plastics and resins, its volatility and flammability require strict safety protocols in laboratory and industrial environments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.