Word
butane
Phoneticsbu·tane, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbjuteɪn/
UK/bjˈuːteɪn/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a clear gas that burns very easily and is used as fuel in lighters and small camping stoves.
n. a highly flammable hydrocarbon gas composed of four carbon atoms, used as fuel in lighters, portable stoves, and heating equipment.
Examples
“My lighter uses butane for fuel.”
“He buys a small can of butane to refill the camping stove before the weekend trip.”
“Stored as a liquid under pressure, butane vaporises instantly on release, making it practical for lighters yet dangerous if it leaks in an enclosed space.”
Examples
simple
“My lighter uses butane for fuel.”
contextual
“He buys a small can of butane to refill the camping stove before the weekend trip.”
complex
“Stored as a liquid under pressure, butane vaporises instantly on release, making it practical for lighters yet dangerous if it leaks in an enclosed space.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “butane” in context.
Verb
01. butane burns
“Butane burns with a clean blue flame ideal for precision torches.”
noun + verb
02. butane leaks
“If butane leaks in an enclosed tent, any flame could trigger an explosion.”
noun + verb
03. ignite butane
“A single spark can ignite butane and cause a violent flash fire.”
verb + noun
04. inhale butane
“Teenagers who deliberately inhale butane risk sudden heart failure.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. bottled butane
“Bottled butane is widely used for portable heaters and camping stoves.”
adj + noun
06. compressed butane
“Compressed butane is stored as a liquid inside sealed metal cartridges.”
adj + noun
07. liquid butane
“Liquid butane vaporises instantly when released from its pressurised container.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. canister of butane
“He packed a spare canister of butane for the week-long trek.”
noun + prep + noun
09. cylinder of butane
“The workshop keeps a small cylinder of butane for soldering work.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a canister of butane
“We carried a canister of butane to fuel the camp stove.”
11. a leak of butane gas
“Firefighters evacuated the building after a leak of butane gas.”
12. highly flammable butane gas
“The label warns that it contains highly flammable butane gas.”
Etymology
PIE word *gʷṓws IUPAC nomenclature, from but- (“four carbon prefix”) + -ane (“alkane suffix”), the former is derived from the same stem as the foul-smelling carboxylic acid liberated in rancid butter, "butyric acid", hence cognate with butter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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