lighter fluid

noun

1
: the liquid in a lighter (such as a cigarette lighter) that is its fuel
2
: a liquid accelerant used especially to ignite charcoal briquettes for grilling food
The average back-yard chef, wishing to cook hamburgers, tries to ignite the charcoal via the Squirt, Light and Wait Method, wherein you squirt lighter fluid on a pile of briquettes, light the pile, then wait until they have turned a uniform grey.Dave Barry

Examples of lighter fluid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Authorities say that, in the June 8 incident, Flores poured two bottles of lighter fluid onto a burning California Highway Patrol vehicle to intensify the flames. Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Light coals using lighter fluid, an electric starter, or a chimney starter. Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026 Paige helped with finishing touches like adding the mailbox, installing the storm door, and details like providing charcoal, lighter fluid and a set of tools for the new grill on the new deck. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026 Harwood, meanwhile, set up a table and poured lighter fluid on it. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lighter fluid

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lighter fluid was in 1922

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Cite this Entry

“Lighter fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter%20fluid. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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