gasoline

Definitions

gas (from its volatile, gas-producing nature) + -ol- (Latin oleum, 'oil') + -ine (chemical suffix) = a refined oil that vaporizes readily. It's a liquid, not a gas — named for how easily it turns to vapor. Americans later clipped it back to 'gas.'

Why It Means This

It's worth knowing gasoline is a blend word, not a simple derivative. The 'gas' refers to its readiness to vaporize, the '-ol-' to oil (oleum), the '-ine' is chemical. Despite the name, it's a liquid — which is why the American clipping 'gas' for a liquid fuel confuses learners.

Common Collocations

• 1.gasoline prices汽油价格
• 2.unleaded gasoline无铅汽油
• 3.a gallon of gasoline一加仑汽油

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Gasoline prices rose sharply over the summer.

• 2.

  The engine runs on unleaded gasoline.

• 3.

  Electric cars need no gasoline at all.

Easily Confused

gasoline vs petrol vs gas: gasoline (US) and petrol (UK) are the same liquid car fuel. 'Gas' is the American short form of gasoline, but also means a vapor — so 'gas' is the ambiguous one; gasoline and petrol are always the liquid fuel.