Word
fuel
Phoneticsfu·el, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfjuəɫ/
UK/fjˈuːəl/
Definitions
01energy source
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a substance like wood, coal, gas, or oil that people burn to get heat or power.
n. a substance consumed to provide energy through combustion, chemical, or nuclear reaction.
日本語:燃料※
“The car ran out of fuel on the way to the airport.”
“The government is investing heavily in hydrogen as a sustainable fuel to power heavy industry and long-distance transport.”
Synonyms
02figurative encouragement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. something that makes a feeling or a situation stronger or more active.
n. something that stimulates, maintains, or encourages an action or emotion.
“The latest news added fuel to the argument between the two neighbors.”
“The leaked documents provided further fuel for the public's growing distrust of the administration's environmental policies.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to provide energy
B1 · Intermediate
v. to supply a vehicle or machine with the energy it needs to work.
v. to provide a machine, vehicle, or system with a source of energy.
“The plane was being fueled while the passengers waited at the gate.”
“The facility is fueled entirely by renewable energy sources, including solar panels and wind turbines located on the roof.”
Antonyms
04to make a situation worse
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a bad situation, a feeling, or a rumor grow or become more intense.
v. to exacerbate or cause a feeling or situation to become more intense or widespread.
“His angry comments only fueled the tension in the room.”
“The lack of official information from the company only served to fuel speculation about its impending bankruptcy.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fuel” in context.
Verb
01. conserve fuel
“Drivers are encouraged to slow down to conserve fuel.”
verb + noun
02. consume fuel
“Large aircraft consume fuel at an incredible rate during takeoff.”
verb + noun
03. fuel burns
“The fuel burns cleanly without producing much soot.”
noun + verb
04. fuel runs out
“We need to find a gas station before the fuel runs out.”
noun + phrasal verb
05. ration fuel
“During the war, the government had to ration fuel for private vehicles.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. fossil fuel
“We need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel to protect the environment.”
adj + noun
07. efficient fuel
“Modern engines are designed to be more efficient fuel users.”
adj + noun
08. fuel prices
09. fuel industry
10. a rise in fuel prices
“Commuters are unhappy about the recent rise in fuel prices.”
11. add fuel to the fire
“His angry comments only added fuel to the fire during the argument.”
12. alternative sources of fuel
“Scientists are searching for alternative sources of fuel to replace oil.”
Etymology
From Middle English fuayle, from Old French fouaille, feuaille (“firewood, kindling”), from feu (“fire”), from Late Latin focus (“fire”), from Latin focus (“hearth”), whence English focus. Cognate with Spanish fuego (“fire”), and Portuguese fogo (“fire”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/fuel
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0