acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈa-sə-ˌtōn How to pronounce acetone (audio)
: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C3H6O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine
acetonic
ˌa-sə-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce acetone (audio)
adjective

Examples of acetone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team then decided to add this all-important acetone into the outer layer of a coaxial needle, surrounding the silk and dopamine in the inner needle layer to enable the liquid to shoot straight into the air. — Sophie Charara, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2025 Many are volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, such as acetone, methanol, and glycols like 2-butoxyethanol. — Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025 Only soak your fingertips in acetone when removing polish: Avoid exposing your fingers or entire hand to the remover. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025 Afterward, the manicurist used acetone to disperse the ink with a thick nail brush (or 3D brush), creating gemstone veins. — Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acetone

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétone, from (esprit pyro-)acétique, literally, "pyro-acetic spirit," an earlier name for acetone + -one -one

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetone was in 1837

Rhymes for acetone

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Browse Nearby Words

acetone
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Cite this Entry

“Acetone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetone. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

acetone

noun
ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn How to pronounce acetone (audio)
: an easily evaporated fragrant flammable liquid compound used chiefly to dissolve or to make chemical compounds

Medical Definition

acetone

noun
ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn How to pronounce acetone (audio)
: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C3H6O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine

called also propanone

acetonic
ˌas-ə-ˈtän-ik How to pronounce acetone (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on acetone

Nglish: Translation of acetone for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acetone

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