What does "fuel" mean?

1. (energy source) a substance like wood, coal, gas, or oil that people burn to get heat or power. 2. (figurative encouragement) something that makes a feeling or a situation stronger or more active. 3. (to provide energy) to supply a vehicle or machine with the energy it needs to work. 4. (to make a situation worse) to make a bad situation, a feeling, or a rumor grow or become more intense.

fuel

n. · v.

US //ˈfjuəɫ// UK //fjˈuːəl// fu·el

1 energy source (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a substance like wood, coal, gas, or oil that people burn to get heat or power.

a substance consumed to provide energy through combustion, chemical, or nuclear reaction.

Example

The car ran out of fuel on the way to the airport.

Example

The government is investing heavily in hydrogen as a sustainable fuel to power heavy industry and long-distance transport.
- propellant
- energy source
2 figurative encouragement (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something that makes a feeling or a situation stronger or more active.

something that stimulates, maintains, or encourages an action or emotion.

Example

The latest news added fuel to the argument between the two neighbors.

Example

The leaked documents provided further fuel for the public's growing distrust of the administration's environmental policies.
- deterrent

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3 to provide energy (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to supply a vehicle or machine with the energy it needs to work.

to provide a machine, vehicle, or system with a source of energy.

Example

The plane was being fueled while the passengers waited at the gate.

Example

The facility is fueled entirely by renewable energy sources, including solar panels and wind turbines located on the roof.
- power
- supply
- deplete
4 to make a situation worse (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make a bad situation, a feeling, or a rumor grow or become more intense.

to exacerbate or cause a feeling or situation to become more intense or widespread.

Example

His angry comments only fueled the tension in the room.

Example

The lack of official information from the company only served to fuel speculation about its impending bankruptcy.
- inflame
- exacerbate
- feed
- dampen
- quell

Origin

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”).

Word family

Verbrefuel
Nounfuel

Idioms2 entries