# kerosene

/ˈkɛɹəˌsin/ (US) · /kˈɛɹəsˌiːn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kerosene
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a clear oil used as fuel for lamps, heaters, and some airplane engines. It has a strong smell and burns easily.

For teachers: a flammable hydrocarbon oil obtained by distilling petroleum, used primarily as a fuel in jet engines, heating systems, and lamps.

## Examples

- The old lamp still runs on kerosene.
- During the power outage, they used a kerosene heater to keep the living room warm.
- While modern aviation relies on highly refined kerosene for jet propulsion, many rural households in developing regions still depend on it for basic lighting and cooking needs.

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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.