Travel / B1

FYOO-uh-l/ˈfjuːəl/

Fuel is a substance such as coal, oil, or gas that is burned to produce heat or power: fossil fuel; fuel costs; run out of fuel. Petrol (UK) / diesel are types for cars; energy is the wider idea. Fuel can be a verb: fuel a debate means make it stronger. Fuel-efficient describes a car that uses less. Do not use fuel for food energy in careful writing — say energy or calories.

Meaning

A substance such as coal, oil, or gas that is burned to produce heat or power.

Examples

• “The plane could not take off without fuel.”
• “The car ran out of fuel on the motorway.”
• “Rising fuel prices hit bus companies first.”

Good to know

fossil fuel. run out of fuel. UK car fuel: petrol. Verb metaphor: fuel a debate. Wider idea: energy.

Near in meaning

petrol

Topics

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