Reading Theme:
Inflammable Meaning, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：catches fire easily (inflammable)
inflammable
/ɪnˈflæməbəl/
adj.
A thing that can catch fire very easily.
catches fire easily
➕
/ˈkætʃɪz ˈfaɪər ˈiːzɪli/
adj.
Describes a material that can ignite and burn rapidly when exposed to a flame or high heat.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'inflammare' (to set on fire) + '-able', meaning capable of being set on fire.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: 'IN-FLAME-ABLE' -> it can go INTO flame easily. But remember: the 'in-' is intensifying, not negative. Danger: it burns!
📖 Example
The warehouse clearly marked the area for storing inflammable liquids like gasoline and paint thinner.
The warehouse clearly marked the area for storing inflammable liquids like gasoline and paint thinner.
🔗 Collocations
inflammable material – Substance prone to catching fire easily
inflammable liquid – Liquid that can ignite readily
inflammable gas – Gas that can burn or explode when exposed to a flame
🔄 Synonyms
flammable (adj.) – Easily set on fire; same meaning as inflammable but more commonly used in safety warnings.
combustible (adj.) – Capable of catching fire and burning easily.
ignitable (adj.) – Able to be set on fire or ignited.
🚫 Antonyms
nonflammable (adj.) – Not easily set on fire; resistant to burning.
fireproof (adj.) – Unable to burn or be damaged by fire.
incombustible (adj.) – Not combustible; cannot be burned.
🌱 Derivatives
inflammability (n.) – The quality of being easily set on fire.
inflammableness (n.) – The state or condition of being inflammable.
inflammably (adv.) – In a manner that can be easily set on fire.
📖 Cultural Story
The prefix 'in-' in 'inflammable' derives from Latin 'in-' (into), not the negative prefix. This confusion led to the coining of 'flammable' for safety labels to avoid misinterpretation, especially in hazardous material contexts.
Meaning 2：easily angered (inflammable)
inflammable
/ɪnˈflæməbəl/
adj.
A person who easily becomes very angry or excited.
easily angered
➕
/ˈiːzɪli ˈæŋɡərd/
adj.
Referring to a person who becomes angry or agitated very quickly, often over minor issues.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The star player is known for his brilliant skills but also for his inflammable temper, which sometimes gets him into trouble during heated matches.
The star player is known for his brilliant skills but also for his inflammable temper, which sometimes gets him into trouble during heated matches.
🔗 Collocations
inflammable temper – A tendency to become angry quickly
inflammable disposition – A natural personality prone to sudden anger
inflammable nature – The inherent quality of being easily irritated
🔄 Synonyms
irascible (adj.) – Easily provoked to anger; hot-tempered.
hot-tempered (adj.) – Tending to lose one's temper quickly and often.
explosive (adj.) – Characterized by sudden and violent outbursts of emotion, especially anger.
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