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afterburner

C1
UK/ˈɑːftəˌbɜːnə/US/ˈæftərˌbɜːrnər/

Technical; Figurative

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Definition

Meaning

A device in a jet engine that injects extra fuel into the hot exhaust gases to produce a large, immediate increase in thrust.

A metaphorical device or process that provides an intense, final burst of energy or effort. Also used to describe persistent visual sensations after a stimulus is removed.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a technical term in aviation (jet engines). The figurative sense implies a high-effort, short-duration boost, often unsustainable. In medicine/optometry, 'afterburner effect' can refer to retinal afterimages.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No major lexical differences; both use the term identically in technical contexts.

Connotations

Identical technical connotations. Figurative use may be slightly more common in American business/sports metaphors.

Frequency

Equally low in general use; equally high in aerospace/military contexts in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
engage the afterburnerkick in the afterburnerlight the afterburnerafterburner thrust
medium
switch on the afterburnerwith afterburnerafterburner engagedafterburner system
weak
powerful afterburnermilitary afterburnerjet afterburnerroar of the afterburner

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The pilot engaged the afterburner.The afterburner provided a boost.to go into afterburner

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

reheat (UK technical)thrust augmentation system

Neutral

thrust boosterreheat system

Weak

boostpower surgeextra thrust

Vocabulary

Antonyms

idle thrustcruise powereconomy mode

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “kick in the afterburners”
  • “put it in afterburner”
  • “light the afterburner”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Metaphor for a final, intense push to meet a deadline or target. (e.g., 'The team switched on the afterburner for the last week of the quarter.')

Academic

Used in aerospace engineering, fluid dynamics, and military history papers.

Everyday

Rare. Mostly in figurative expressions about sudden effort or speed. (e.g., 'I had to hit the afterburners to finish the essay.')

Technical

Precise term for a jet engine component that increases thrust by combusting fuel in the exhaust stream.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The Typhoon can afterburn for several minutes.
  • He was afterburning down the final stretch.

American English

  • The F-35 will afterburn to intercept the target.
  • She afterburned through her to-do list.

adjective

British English

  • The afterburner section was inspected.
  • An afterburner-assisted takeoff.

American English

  • The afterburner modification is costly.
  • An afterburner-equipped fighter.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • The jet made a loud noise when the afterburner started.
  • He worked like he had an afterburner to finish the job.
B2
  • Engaging the afterburner allows the aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds quickly.
  • In the project's final phase, we'll need to switch on the afterburners to meet the deadline.
C1
  • The technical specifications detail the specific fuel consumption of the afterburner at maximum thrust.
  • The CEO's speech was intended to act as an afterburner for the company's lagging innovation efforts.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a jet AFTER it's burned fuel normally, it BURNs MORE in the AFTERBURNER for a final burst.

Conceptual Metaphor

INTENSITY IS A BOOST FROM A JET ENGINE / A FINAL PUSH IS ENGAGING THE AFTERBURNER.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Не переводить буквально как 'послегорение' или 'дожигатель' (хотя 'дожигатель' иногда используется в техническом переводе). Основное значение связано с авиацией.
  • В переносном смысле соответствует идиомам 'включить вторую/третью скорость', 'дать форсаж' (отсюда и технический термин 'форсажная камера' - более точный аналог).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'afterburner' to describe any engine part (it's specific to jets).
  • Spelling as two words: 'after burner'.
  • Using it for a slow, sustained increase (it implies a sudden, dramatic boost).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
To escape the missile, the pilot had to engage the for an emergency climb.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'afterburner' used literally?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a single, closed compound word: 'afterburner'.

Yes, but it's informal and primarily used in aviation slang or figurative speech (e.g., 'He afterburned to the finish line').

To provide a significant, short-term increase in thrust, usually for takeoff, combat manoeuvres, or achieving supersonic speed.

No, it's an informal, vivid metaphor mostly used in business, sports, or motivational contexts to describe a final, intense effort.