ENGLISH
REFERENCE

asbestos

n. · v.
US //æsˈbɛstəs// UK //æsbˈɛstəs// as·bestos
  1. 1 the mineral material (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a grey or white mineral that does not burn and was used to protect buildings from fire.

    any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate used for fireproofing and insulation.

    Example

    The workers had to wear special masks because the old ceiling contained asbestos.

    Example

    Before its health risks were fully understood, asbestos was widely utilised in the construction industry for its exceptional thermal insulation and fire-retardant properties.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable when referring to the material in general.
  2. 2 resistance to heat (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Humorous Informal

    a humorous way to describe a person who can touch hot things or eat very spicy food without pain.

    a colloquial reference to a metaphorical physical immunity to heat or spicy sensations.

    Example

    He must have an asbestos mouth to eat those spicy peppers so easily.

    Example

    The chef seemed to have asbestos fingers, casually retrieving the searingly hot ramekins from the oven without using a cloth.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a creative, non-literal use of the word; learners should use it only in very casual or joking contexts.
  3. 3 to cover with the material (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical Technical

    to cover or protect something using asbestos.

    to coat, line, or insulate a surface or structure with asbestos.

    Example

    In the past, engineers would asbestos the pipes to keep the heat inside.

    Example

    The original specifications required the contractor to asbestos the boiler room walls to meet the fire safety standards of the era.

    Usage

    This verb use is largely historical due to modern safety bans.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Hellenic *ə- Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) Proto-Indo-European *(s)gʷes-der.? Ancient Greek σβέννῡμῐ (sbénnūmĭ) Ancient Greek σβεστός (sbestós) Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (ásbestos)bor. Latin asbestosbor. Old French abestosder. English asbestos From Old French abestos, from Latin asbestos, itself from Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (ásbestos, “unquenchable, inextinguishable”), from ᾰ̓- (ă-, “not”) + σβέννῡμῐ (sbénnūmĭ, “I quench, quell”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026