gas-guzzler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Informal, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “gas-guzzler” mean?
A vehicle that consumes an excessively large amount of fuel (petrol/gasoline).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A vehicle that consumes an excessively large amount of fuel (petrol/gasoline).
Any device, system, or entity that uses resources (especially fuel or energy) in a wasteful and inefficient manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the equivalent term is 'petrol-guzzler'. 'Gas-guzzler' is understood but directly associated with American usage.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations of wastefulness and environmental irresponsibility in both dialects.
Frequency
High frequency in North American discourse about cars and environment. Lower frequency in UK, where 'petrol-guzzler' or descriptive phrases are more common.
Grammar
How to Use “gas-guzzler” in a Sentence
[adjective] + gas-guzzlergas-guzzler + of + [type]gas-guzzler + that/which + verbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gas-guzzler” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – No established verb form.
American English
- N/A – No established verb form.
adverb
British English
- N/A – No adverb form.
American English
- N/A – No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- N/A – The adjective form is 'gas-guzzling', as in 'a gas-guzzling SUV'.
American English
- N/A – The adjective form is 'gas-guzzling', as in 'a gas-guzzling truck'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions about automotive industry trends, consumer preferences, and energy costs.
Academic
Appears in environmental studies, economics, and sociology papers discussing consumption patterns.
Everyday
Common in conversations about car ownership, fuel prices, and environmental concerns.
Technical
Used in automotive reviews and specifications to describe poor fuel economy figures.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gas-guzzler”
- Using 'gas' to mean the state of matter (like oxygen) in this context. Here 'gas' is American for 'petrol'.
- Misspelling as 'gas-gulper' or 'gas-gussler'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a gas-guzzler car') is redundant; the term is a noun itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a personal insult, but it is a strongly negative term for a vehicle, implying it is wasteful, outdated, and environmentally irresponsible.
Yes, by extension. It can be used metaphorically for any inefficient appliance or system, e.g., 'That old boiler is a real gas-guzzler.' However, its primary and most common reference is to vehicles.
The direct equivalent is 'petrol-guzzler'. The concept is identical; only the fuel name changes (petrol vs. gas).
No. While many classic cars are gas-guzzlers, the term can apply to any new or old vehicle with very poor fuel efficiency, such as some large luxury SUVs or high-performance sports cars.
A vehicle that consumes an excessively large amount of fuel (petrol/gasoline).
Gas-guzzler is usually informal, journalistic in register.
Gas-guzzler: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæs ˌɡʌz.lər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæs ˌɡʌz.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gas-guzzler tax (a specific tax on inefficient vehicles)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a car 'guzzling' (drinking greedily) gasoline from a large jug instead of a normal fuel tank.
Conceptual Metaphor
VEHICLES ARE LIVING BEINGS THAT CONSUME (They 'guzzle' fuel as if drinking). INEFFICIENCY IS GLUTTONY (wasteful consumption).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a 'gas-guzzler'?