Word
retardant
Phoneticsre·tar·dant, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈtɑɹdənt/
UK/ɹɪtˈɑːdənt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a chemical that slows down fire or makes something harder to burn. You find it in clothes, furniture, and sprays firefighters use.
n. a substance that inhibits or delays a chemical process, most commonly combustion. Most frequently encountered in phrases such as 'fire retardant' or 'flame retardant'.
Examples
“This jacket has a fire retardant coating.”
“Firefighters spray retardant ahead of the wildfire to stop the flames from reaching the houses.”
“The new building code requires timber treated with retardant in all high-rise balconies after investigators linked the rapid spread of the blaze to untreated cladding.”
Examples
simple
“This jacket has a fire retardant coating.”
contextual
“Firefighters spray retardant ahead of the wildfire to stop the flames from reaching the houses.”
complex
“The new building code requires timber treated with retardant in all high-rise balconies after investigators linked the rapid spread of the blaze to untreated cladding.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “retardant” in context.
Verb
01. apply retardant
“Manufacturers apply retardant to upholstery to meet fire regulations.”
verb + noun
02. ban retardant
“The EU voted to ban retardant chemicals linked to hormone disruption.”
verb + noun
03. drop retardant
“Aircraft dropped retardant over the forest to slow the fire's advance.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. brominated retardant
“Regulators have restricted brominated retardant due to health concerns.”
adj + noun
05. chemical retardant
“The sofa foam was infused with chemical retardant to meet safety standards.”
adj + noun
06. fire retardant
“Firefighters sprayed fire retardant along the ridge to stop the blaze.”
adj + noun
07. flame retardant
“Children's pyjamas are often treated with flame retardant for safety.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. coat of retardant
“The walls were covered with a thick coat of retardant.”
noun + prep + noun
09. exposure to retardant
“Long-term exposure to retardant has been linked to health risks.”
noun + prep + noun
10. aerial drop of fire retardant
“The aerial drop of fire retardant saved the hillside community.”
11. drop retardant from aircraft
“Crews drop retardant from aircraft to create a barrier against wildfires.”
12. free of flame retardants
“Look for sofas labelled free of flame retardants if you have allergies.”
Real-World Examples
“It’s fire retardant, used in preemptive strikes to keep flames from spreading.” 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/retardant