lighter fluid

noun

1
: the liquid in a lighter (such as a cigarette lighter) that is its fuel
2
: a liquid accelerant used especially to ignite charcoal briquettes for grilling food
The average back-yard chef, wishing to cook hamburgers, tries to ignite the charcoal via the Squirt, Light and Wait Method, wherein you squirt lighter fluid on a pile of briquettes, light the pile, then wait until they have turned a uniform grey.Dave Barry

Examples of lighter fluid 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.
Then Woody sent him into the house for matches and lighter fluid. Shaun Raviv, WIRED, 21 Jan. 2020 Township officials said Tuesday that butane and nitrous oxide, lighter fluid, vape pens, and canisters measuring 12-18 inches and weighing 10-15 pounds exploded during the blaze at Goo. Christina Hall, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Killed by a gunshot wound to the neck, Greenhalgh had been fatally shot before her cottage was set intentionally ablaze with lighter fluid — to hide evidence, officials said in a search warrant affidavit unsealed in 2018. Kc Baker, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 The labels are typically removed with lighter fluid and the bottles resealed and dispensed to other patients. Scott Zamost, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lighter fluid 

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lighter fluid was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near lighter fluid

Cite this Entry

“Lighter fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter%20fluid. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!