First, the structural formula and molecular bonding of the hydrogen are such that they are incredibly light reactors and combustible to fire. While the word may imply a non-flammable substance, it is a common misconception. Soot is the most easily burned form of carbon. USAGE inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible. Posted by 2 years ago. All Free. Why do flammable and inflammable mean the same? Both words mean the same thing, but one of them is bound to confuse most people. There are two types of water-based paints, which are latex and acrylic paints. An inflammable substance is one that is able to be set on fire. Inflammable substances are also known as combustible or flammable. (ˈflæməbəl ) adjective. Flammable and inflammable are two words that cause confusion. If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. See examples of INFLAMMABLE used in a sentence. See full list on dictionary. Fire Safety. Yes, diesel is flammable and can catch fire. 106 gave these definitions for flammable and combustible liquids: A flammable liquid was defined as “Any liquid having a flash point below 100°F (37. Inflammable looks like an opposite of flammable but in fact it has the same meaning. Inflammable is by far the older of the two words. But oxygen can give rise to fire. ”. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Inflammable substances are those substances which catch fire very easily and their ignition temperature is very low. Usage note. The words flammable and inflammable are often misinterpreted as opposites. likely to become violent or angry…. If these products are not stored safely, they can easily ignite and start a fire. So "infamous" in this case is best understood as meaning "having a bad reputation. Because it is made from fully oxidized silicon, the only way to get the glass to burn would be to raise the temperatures so high that the silicon-oxygen bonds broke down. ’In summary, yes – diesel is flammable. : capable of being set on fire and of burning quickly : flammable. Flammable is derived from the Latin ‘flamma’, which translates to flame, while. Flammable and inflammable are. You should see oxygen rather as the substance that supports the combustion process rather than being a catalyst for it. Flammable is the more recent and also the more common of the. How do we know when to use which? Fortunately, I have an easy way to remember the difference. 3M subscribers in the NoStupidQuestions community. "Flammable and inflammable both mean capable of burning. Flammable and inflammable cause a lot of confusion. The flashpoint of benzene is 11. It is even used to put out fires and to make anti-flame materials. ‘Flammable,’ the new kid on the block, didn’t appear in print until more than three hundred years later. Both describe things that are capable of burning or easy to ignite, but in all modern varieties of English, flammable is preferred. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. But there’s only a 5-20% acetic acid in vinegar along with 80-95% of water. Red oak, for instance, is pretty low: it has a combustibility ratio of 3. So there is no illogicality here. Note that we still say inflammatory speeches not *flammatory speeches, inflammation of the skin not *flammation of the skin, etc. . You get a headache, fever, chills, cough, and tightness in your chest and unlike flu, you also may find that you. Inflammable and flammable are synonyms and mean ” able to burn ” even though they look like opposites. For burning to happen, a strong oxidizer (for example, oxygen) and a strong reducer (for example, carbon) must be present. Something that will NOT. Flammable Substances Flammable substances are those gases, liquids and solids that will ignite and continue to burn in air if exposed to a source of ignition. Bamboo is more flammable than wood. temporary or ephemeral. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Department of. The ‘in’ prefix in inflammable is derived from the Latin prefix ‘en’ meaning to cause a person or thing to be in (as in enslave, encourage). What does the. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. , 25- 35 °C. The in- of incombustible is a common prefix meaning "not," but the in- of inflammable is a different prefix. In terms of flammability, it may be the worst with a high burning rate. Why does inflammable mean flammable? If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. Therefore, since the 1950s, efforts to put forward the use of "flammable" in place of "inflammable" were accepted by linguists, and it is now the accepted standard in American English and. Both words derive from the Latin inflammare, which translates as “to cause to catch fire”. " To muddy the waters a little more the word "infamous" changed meaning a while ago. Nonetheless, "inflammable" is often erroneously thought to mean "non-flammable". No, normal glass is not flammable and does not readily catch fire. Helium is not flammable and it is generally safe to use in many situations. Magnesium itself is non-toxic. [Middle English, liable to inflammation, from Medieval Latin īnflammābilis, from Latin īnflammāre, to inflame; see inflame . Our word inflammable, it turns out, is derived from the Latin word inflammare, from which we also get the word inflame, which means to set on fire —. However, inflammable means that a substance is capabble of bursting into flames without the need for any ignition. 3°C). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Department of. inflammable definition: Inflammable liquids, gases, or materials burn very easily. The word "inflammable" may be erroneously thought to mean "non-flammable". Cf. So they started saying "flammable" which. Though it may not meet the OSHA standard for flammability, honey can still be a fire hazard in. The first syllable, in, is often confused for the negative prefix in- which is like the latin prefix un- (see: inconspicuous. Why do flammable and inflammable mean the same? Both words mean the same thing, but one of them is bound to confuse most people. 63 degrees Celsius and thus Benzene is above its flashpoint at room temperature or even storage temperatures in most. An inflammable substance or material burns very easily: 2. Dangerous chemical conditions may occur if it combusts. FLAMMABLE (EXPLOSIVE) LIMITS. Can someone explain why those two words both mean ‘easily set on fire’? One clearly has the prefix ‘in-‘, which obviously means ‘not’ in other words, such as in-active, in-efficient, etc. Bamboo has a higher flame temperature than wood, so it burns faster and hotter. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. ] in·flam′ma·bil′i·ty n. Inflammable is a. Gorilla Glue is highly flammable. Flammable and combustible liquids are liquids that can burn. Flammable gasses can include methane, acetylene, ammonia, hydrogen, propane, and propylene. “For the record, ‘inflammable’ does mean ‘burnable. USAGE inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible. ’ And it’s meant that since at least 1605, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Does inflammable mean not flammable? Inflammable and flammable are synonyms and mean “able to burn” even though they look like opposites. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. But the good thing is that when once dry, it is not flammable. Inflammable means the same thing! There isn’t actually any significant difference between the two words. So, why are. Adding on that in the sense of the verb "inflammare," "in-" doesn't mean "not" like it does frequently in other contexts, but instead is just an intensifier. Is helium flammable? The answer is simply, no. Many flammable substances have to be at a high concentration in order to actually. Another danger of using isopropyl alcohol is poisoning. Flammable These three Inflammable words mean the Combustible textile will burn readily. They are synonyms. ”. Volatile means how quickly it evaporates. Workshop may have sparks or flames that would ignite that material, causing a fire. Its root flammāre, which also means “to set on fire. Something that will NOT burn is nonflammable. There is no difference in meaning between flammable and inflammable. Something that is flammable burns easily: 3. Actually, the in- in inflammable was derived from the. While the word may imply a non-flammable substance, it is a common misconception. Why doesn't it mean "to set on fire"? Podcast. Note that inflammable and flammable may mean the same thing. What Does Flammable Aerosol Mean? A flammable aerosol is an aerosol that contains a component that is classified as flammable, whether it is liquid, gas or solid. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. The risk of a fire starting increases in relation to the amount of gas present. The term 'inflammable' [ɪnˈflæməbl] refers to something that is easily set on fire or likely to cause strong emotions or reactions. Understanding the confusion with this word in particular, most trucking. When hydrogen burns in oxygen, it oxidizes completely, there’s no spare hydrogen left laying around to react with something else. Inflammable and inflammatory can be confused with one another, but they also offer their own source of confusion with the prefix in-. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. ”. inflammable mix a highly. This is the criteria OSHA uses for determining the flammability of liquids. In fact, most English words that begin with “in-” follow this pattern. Flammable and inflammable are two words that sound like they would have opposite meanings, but they actually mean the same thing. These fumes can make it difficult for you to breathe as well. It is not combustible, meaning it will not burn when exposed to a flame. When these two elements combine, they release a great deal of energy in the form of heat and light. Flammability of clothing depends on a number of factors. Pay attention as we discuss which paints are flammable and combustible or whether or not you should use them on your DIY home projects, so tune in!What Does It Mean To Be Flammable? A flammable substance is any one solid, liquid or gas that can ignite and burn when in air, if exposed to a source of ignition like an open flame or spark. Add a comment. Gasoline is made up of various hydrocarbons, which are compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Inflammable. Flammable materials are particularly vulnerable. Flammable liquids are defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as any liquid having a closed-cup flash point at or below 200°F (93°C). “Inflammable” is an adjective that describes something that is easily set on fire or capable of burning. flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in-of inflammable as a negative prefix and thus think the word means. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Flammable materials are those combustible materials, which can burn in the air easily by providing an ignition source. It could be that the substance is just flammable, or it may give off flammable gas. It is usually illegal to conduct work that takes place in environments in which a flammable vapor exists in concentrations that. See Usage Note at flammable. However, flammable is much more frequent than inflammable and carries less risk of the meaning being confused. These cabinets are generally unventilated, as ventilation can promote fire combustion. Though your candle wax won’t catch fire in normal usage of a candle, that doesn’t mean that it won’t melt. In Middle English the word "infamous" did in fact mean "not well known. This article will explore the results of these scientific inquiries to determine whether the. Davenport Daily Leader, 29 Jan. The main difference between flammable and combustible liquids is the flashpoint, which refers to the lowest temperature at which the vapors generated by a liquid turn into a flammable gas and can ignite. As a matter of fact, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same capable of burning. : from Latin flammare, from flamma ‘a flame’. Very important. INFLAMMABLE definition: An inflammable material or chemical catches fire and burns easily . The word "flammable" is newer than inflammable and does not exist, for instance, in Indian English. S. In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning “not,” as it often does, “inflammable” comes. Learn more. ”. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. In the early 20th century, firefighters worried that people might. Synonyms for INFLAMMABLE: combustible, explosive, flammable, combustive, ignitable, fiery, ignitible, burnable; Antonyms of INFLAMMABLE: fireproof, incombustible. Flammable, a. ” Using nonflammable is one way to ensure clarity. Flammable and inflammable are two words that sound like they would have opposite meanings, but they actually mean the same thing. Volatile means how quickly it evaporates. 4. In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning "not," as it often does, "inflammable" comes from the latin. There may be a word that meets your criterion but the dictionary has this note about your example. Capable of being enkindled into flame. an example sentence would be: "Be careful with that gasoline, it's flammable/inflammable. capable of being set on fire; combustible; flammable. Flammable is, however, often preferred for warning labels as there is less likelihood of misunderstanding (inflammable being sometimes taken to mean not flammable). Never store perfume near an open flame or in any place where sparks are flying. Sometimes people will say, “Flammable means it will catch fire and combustible means it will explode when ignited. These include 2:Hydrogen gas is highly reacted with flames for several reasons. Flammable and inflammable are two words that cause confusion. Then, you fill the lab with pure oxygen. english) People often ask why "flammable" and "inflammable" mean the same thing. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. able…. Something that is…. Why doesn't it mean "to set on fire"? Podcast. The boiling point of a combustible liquid is always over 100 degrees Fahrenheit while a flammable liquid has a boiling point under 100 degrees. So why are both of these words used when they seem like they would have the opposite definition, but in fact mean the exact same thing? The prefix “in-” does not always serve as being negative. Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing: they both refer to a material that can easily catch fire and burn. " Water doesn’t burn because it’s already been through the process of combustion. Of the two words, it was ‘inflammable’ that entered the English language first – early 17th century. Inflammable and flammable are synonyms and mean ” able to burn ” even though they look like opposites. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Yes, normal plastic is highly flammable. However, it is defined by OSHA as combustible, rather than flammable. This is because soot is carbon dust and dust has a very large surface area when compared to its volume, this means that it takes less heat to set it on. Why does inflammable mean flammable? If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. Inflammable is derived from the word inflame (sometimes spelled enflame), and precedes the invention of the word flammable. ”. But because the first syllable is easily. There are a couple of reasons why I felt it was important to look at the questions of whether helium is flammable, explosive, or both. However, inflammable means that a substance is capabble of bursting into flames without the need for any ignition. Ask away! why is inflammable and flammable the same word, I mean, come on with that. That may be set on fire; easily enkindled; susceptible of. However, despite the fact that carbon is usually not flammable (technically), it will burn, and, in some cases, it will burn very well, indeed. Flammable and inflammable do not mean the same thing. While it’s not technically considered a flammable liquid, oil does have a flashpoint which, if met, enough flammable vapors can be released to start a fire. What’s even more interesting is that it’s not the liquid that burns, it’s instead the vapors caused by evaporation that ignite. It can also convey that someone is sexy, (i. Some powdered metals like magnesium and titanium can catch fire when dampened. #2. Soul fire deals more damage than normal fire and does not spread. Where a flammable object can be set fire to, requiring a source of ignition, an inflammable substance can catch fire all by itself and includes unstable chemicals like some types of compressed gas and explosive hazards. it's like labeling something poisonous non-venomous Inflammable. The truth is, flammable and inflammable mean almost the same thing: a substance burns easily or readily catches fire. In the case of whether a lit match of a cigarette would start an immediate. As a matter of fact, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same — capable of burning. “non-flammable (gas, liquid, etc. [. because of the types of particles that. ” The prefix –in in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative prefix –in, which is related to the English –un and. Inflammare, then, also meant “to cause to be on fire. This can lead to some confusion, with some individuals thinking that it means the opposite of flammable; that is, that it cannot be set on fire. Polyester resin, in particular, can be hazardous, both cured and uncured, because it can easily ignite. " Nonflammable means a material that is not easily set on fire and burned. Flammable materials are the ones that are ignited or flame immediately when contacting with fire or high temperature in the air and continue to burn or slightly flame when leaving fire, such as plywood, fiberboard, wood and foil. Copy. Usage Note: Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. These terms are used to describe the conditions in which dangerous liquids are likely to ignite. These are the basic differences between flammable and inflammable substances. Where a flammable object can be set fire to, requiring a source of ignition, an inflammable substance can catch fire all by itself and includes unstable chemicals like some types of compressed gas and explosive hazards. Likewise, many metals have burning capacities. Other paints are water-based and are generally not flammable. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Flammable cabinets are cabinets specifically designed to hold flammable liquids. Motor oil is not technically flammable, that’s because OSHA defines “flammable liquids” as those that ignite when they are in the presence of “an ignition source” below 199. "No, your refreshing glass of water won't spontaneously combust. The flammability will depend on the ratio of oxygen and hydrogen present in the plastic. Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Inflammable ( and flammable) means something can easily be ignited- like gasoline. "Water doesn’t burn because it’s already been through the process of combustion. Learn more. Your body can handle small amounts of isopropyl alcohol. why does flammable and inflammable have the same meaning? 5 comments. Want to learn more?Why Inflammable Is Not the Opposite of Flammable. Oxygen is not flammable, but it does intensify the combustion process and can cause fire to burn hotter and faster. Something that will NOT. A material is thus ‘inflammable’ if it is prone to catching fire! Fire! (Photo: RonaldPlett/Pixabay) ‘Inflammable’ is even the older word here. "Inflammable definition: . Why are things flammable? Flammable substances are those gases, liquids and solids that will ignite and continue to burn in air if exposed to a source of ignition. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. ”. However, once rubber starts to burn, it can be very difficult to extinguish and it produces very toxic smoke that is filled with dangerous chemicals. What Does Flammable Solid Mean? A flammable solid is a solid object that is combustible or that may be a contributor to a fire through friction or brief contact with a source of ignition. The in- of incombustible is a common prefix meaning "not," but the in- of inflammable is a different prefix. Alcohol is just ethanol and water. " The prefix in- in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative. Flammability is the ease with which a combustible substance can be ignited, causing fire or combustion or even an explosion. We often think of in- as meaning “not,” like the prefixes un- or non -. Inflammable. Flammable means that something is capable of being ignited, easily burned. The opposite of both words is non-flammable. It produces large amounts of heat when burning in oxygen releasing 286 Kilojoules for every mol of hydrogen that is burned. inflammable adjective (VIOLENCE) likely to become violent or angry very quickly and in an uncontrolled way: an inflammable situation / region. 8°C), but below 200°F (93. Share. These terms are ones that are often confused simply because they do not mean what you think they should mean. This makes them a fire hazard. Rubber is not highly flammable in that it has a high ignition temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (260 to 316 Celsius). What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. easily. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. Inflammable, a. combustible — A combustible material or gas catches fire and burns easily. It does not act as fuel for the fire to burn, it does however act as the oxidizing part of the fire triangle. That is because the prefix in inflammable is in1-, meaning "in; into; '' it is not the prefix in2-, meaning "not. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. 8°C and 93. capable of burning The words flammable and inflammable are often misinterpreted as opposites. able…. Flammables can cause fires in the presence of oxygen and an ignition source. Non-flammable means incapable of being ignited, not easily burned. The only flammable part is the acetic acid. The reason is that the in of. Fiberglass is nonflammable and does not burn. However, the presence of the prefix in- has misled many people into assuming that inflammable means "not flammable" or "noncombustible. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment . flammable definition: 1. Yes, silk is flammable. Learn more. A flammable liquid is a liquid which can be easily ignited in air at ambient temperatures, i. So here, "inflammable" isn't meant to be parsed as in-(flammable) as in "not able to set on fire" but rather (inflamm)-able as in, "able to be inflamed. 8°C), while a substance is considered combustible if its flash point is between 100°F and 200°F (37. It is easy to think of liquids that are both flammable and volatile: ethyl ether, pentane, gasoline, etc. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examplesEntries linking to flammable -able common termination and word-forming element of English adjectives (typically based on verbs) and generally adding a notion of "capable of; allowed; worthy of; requiring; to be ______ed," sometimes "full of, causing," from French -able and directly from Latin -abilis . USAGE NOTE: Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. Latin has the noun flamma, which means (and is the source of the word) “flame. 1 (a): are ignitable when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume in air. It means capable of catching fire, combustible. Examples of flammable materials include wood, kerosene, and alcohol. You should never leave your perfume can near any heat or open flame as it can explode and cause a. Also, some pyrophoric metallic elements like plutonium can ignite consistently in the air. Because sometimes it does mean that! But it can also mean “in” or “into. A small flame burned in the lamp. Flammable substances can exist in a solid, liquid or gaseous state. Inflammable, derived from the verb inflame, is the original word. The in- has nothing to with the prefix meaning "not", but it's confused often enough that the letters are dropped in hazard symbols. (of a person) quick to become angry or violent. Flammable/inflammable. Okay, let us get this clear once and for all, yes super glue is flammable. On top of that, why the hell would you make the opposite of ‘flammable’ be ‘nonflammable’?Inflammable means to inflame, but no one says to inflame anymore. The melting point of fiberglass is very high, so do not expect it to start melting on a hot weather day. Business, Economics, and Finance. These six classes fall into either flammable liquids or. Flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in- of inflammable as a negative prefix and thus think the word means. Capable of being enkindled into flame. Benzene is a highly flammable liquid that burns very easily at relatively low temperatures. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. However, the latter is more acceptable, and more comfortably used by many, to minimize confusion, whereas the first term is the more appropriate term based on its original Latin form. However, when ‘flammable’ was introduced. Flammable vs. Any liquid with a flashpoint less than 100 o F is considered to be a flammable liquid. Flammable gases mix readily with oxygen in the air outside our buttocks and can catch fire easily, even at low temperatures. Many volatile liquids are not combustible. flammable range. In addition, perfumes are flammable because they contain alcohol, which can easily catch fire. Flammable liquids: 1 - Flash point < 23°C and initial boiling point ≤ 35°C. Going back to the matter of flammability, yes alcohol is flammable. In fact, one of our fart gases – hydrogen – is so flammable that it is. Some common non-flammable materials include water, sand, earth, stone, and metal. Honey is not technically flammable, but it does catch fire easily. If you add further heat to it, then it will produce harmful fumes. Yes they both mean combustible. It does not act as fuel for the fire to burn, it does however act as the oxidizing part of the fire triangle. Oxygen is not flammable, but it does intensify the combustion process and can cause fire to burn hotter and faster. USAGE Flammable and inflammable are interchangeable when used of the properties of materials. Flammable is, however, often preferred for warning labels as there is less likelihood of misunderstanding ( inflammable being sometimes. Inflammable and flammable are synonyms and mean ” able to burn ” even though they look like opposites. The lower the flashpoint, the higher the risk a liquid poses. usage. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Entries linking to flammable -able common termination and word-forming element of English adjectives (typically based on verbs) and generally adding a notion of "capable of; allowed; worthy of; requiring; to be ______ed," sometimes "full of, causing," from French -able and directly from Latin -abilis . Metaphorically speaking, inflammable also can mean easily angered or excited. 2. Thus, the presence of hydrogen and oxygen makes plastic explosive and flammable. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. inflammable mix a highly. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. But some people are thrown off by the in-and think inflammable means "not combustible". ” That isn’t totally true. Improve this answer. A flammable material is something that can catch fire (ignite) readily at an ambient temperature. Inflammable comes from Latin inflammare ("to inflame"), itself from in - (here meaning "in" or "into") plus flammare ("to flame"). In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning “not,” as it often does, “inflammable” comes. It is the English translation of the Latin word inflammare, which is the combination of two Latin words: in, which in this case has the same meaning as our English "in," and flamma, which means "flames," hence, "in flames. To explain the subtle difference between these substances: Flammable liquids will ignite and burn easily at normal working temperature, whereas combustible liquids are less volatile substances. When we look at a word like inflammable, we instinctively feel it must be the. Yes, it is flammable, if we are talking about polyester resin and uncured epoxy resin. It means the same as the word flammable. Flammable liquids have a lower flashpoint than combustible liquids. Even then, not all ethanol-based products burn the same way. 4M subscribers in the NoStupidQuestions community. 31. liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable. The reason two words are required is because they describe different ways in which the material combusts. Ignition Temperature. An example sentence would be: "This fabric is. ” Because more people consider. It is important to note that “inflammable” does not mean “not flammable” as one might assume due to the prefix “in-. 5. The antonym or word that means the opposite of flammable and inflammable is nonflammable. For this reason,. FLAMMABLE definition: Flammable chemicals , gases , cloth , or other things catch fire and burn easily . Flammable vs. Ethanol is produced by fermenting fruits, vegetables, or grains. When exposed to a temperature of 1000°F (540°C), it will start melting. These materials can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas. The Free Dictionary advises using only flammable to give warnings: Usage Note: Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. In other words, they burn easily. inflammable - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. Something that is non-flammable cannot burn or is very difficult to burn. . Motor oil, on the other hand, requires a much higher temperature to combust. inflammable meaning: 1. But, on the other hand, Diesel fuel is graded as a combustible liquid.