fuel
B2Neutral (common across formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A substance that is burned to provide heat or power, such as coal, gas, or oil.
Something that sustains, encourages, or intensifies an activity, emotion, or process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Serves as both a mass noun (e.g., 'We need more fuel') and a count noun for types (e.g., 'alternative fuels'). The verb form is used both literally and metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'fuelled/fuelling' (BrE) vs. 'fueled/fueling' (AmE). Vocabulary: BrE uses 'petrol' and 'diesel' for specific vehicle fuels; AmE uses 'gas' or 'gasoline'.
Connotations
Similar in both. In environmental contexts, 'fuel' often has negative connotations (e.g., fossil fuels).
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
fuel + NOUN (The plane was fuelled for a long flight.)be fuelled by + NOUN (Her determination was fuelled by past failures.)fuel + NOUN + with + NOUN (They fuelled the generator with diesel.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “add fuel to the fire/flames”
- “run on empty (metaphorically)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The rising cost of fuel is impacting logistics and supply chains.
Academic
The study analysed the carbon footprint of various biofuels.
Everyday
I need to stop and get fuel on the way home.
Technical
The fuel-air mixture must be precisely calibrated for optimal combustion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The allegations fuelled public outrage.
- We fuelled the car before the long journey.
American English
- The allegations fueled public outrage.
- We fueled the car before the long journey.
adjective
British English
- The fuel pump is faulty.
- We're discussing fuel economy standards.
American English
- The fuel pump is faulty.
- We're discussing fuel economy standards.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cars need fuel to run.
- We use fuel to heat our house.
- The price of fuel has increased again.
- The plane had to land because it was low on fuel.
- The new policy is designed to promote cleaner fuels.
- His criticism only fuelled her determination to succeed.
- The scandal served to fuel existing anxieties about data privacy.
- The reactor can be fuelled with enriched uranium.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a car at a FUEL pump: 'Fill Up Energy for Leaving'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ACTIVITY IS FIRE (e.g., 'fuel his ambition', 'fuel the conflict').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'fuel' as 'топливо' in every metaphorical context (e.g., 'fuel speculation' is better rendered as 'подпитывать слухи').
- Remember 'fuel' is usually uncountable; don't use 'a fuel' unless referring to a specific type.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I put a fuel in the car.' Correct: 'I put (some) fuel in the car.'
- Incorrect: 'It fuels to inflation.' Correct: 'It fuels inflation.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a strong collocation with 'fuel'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable when referring to the substance ('We need more fuel'). It becomes countable when referring to different types ('We are developing new fuels').
In AmE, 'gas' is the common short form for 'gasoline' (petrol for cars). 'Fuel' is the broader category including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.
Yes, commonly. It means to supply with fuel (literally) or to stimulate/increase something (metaphorically), e.g., 'fuel growth' or 'fuel speculation'.
It means to make a bad situation, especially an argument or conflict, worse by saying or doing something provocative.
Collections
Part of a collection
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.
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