fuel

SayFYOO-uhlUS/ˈfjuəl//ˈfjuːəl/

4 meanings of fuel

1
energy sourcenouncountable or uncountable
A substance that is used up to release energy, such as coal or gasoline burned in an engine, nuclear material in a reactor, or food in the body.
The power plant burns fossil fuel to generate electricity.
Modern reactors extract enormous energy from a small amount of nuclear fuel.
UsageUsually with no a (run out of fuel); the plural fuels names kinds, as in fossil fuels.
2
make growverbtransitive
To make something grow or intensify, especially something harmful.
Rising prices fuel public discontent.
The leaked photos fueled speculation about the merger.
UsageCommon with feelings and talk as the object: fuel speculation, fuel anger; often passive: anger fueled by low wages.
Similarstoke, feed, inflame, intensify, fan
Oppositedampen, quell, defuse
3
supply energyverbtransitive
To supply something with the material it needs in order to run or burn.
Crews fuel the spacecraft for hours before launch.
They fueled the furnace with coal throughout the long winter.
Similarfeed, stoke
4
nounfigurativelyuncountable
Something that stimulates, encourages, or sustains an action or feeling.
Her critics' doubts became fuel for her determination to succeed.
The scandal provided endless fuel for gossip around the office.
UsageUsually fuel for something (fuel for gossip); set phrase: add fuel to the fire, make a bad situation worse.
Similarfodder, ammunition, stimulus, spur, impetus

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English fewell, from Old French fouaille ("firewood, kindling"), from feu ("fire"), from Late Latin focus ("fire") and Latin focus ("hearth"). It is a doublet of focus and is related to Spanish fuego and Portuguese fogo ("fire").

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 7 facts

Fuel comes from Middle English fewell, a variant of fuayle. en.wiktionary.org
The Middle English word was borrowed from Old French fouaille. en.wiktionary.org
Old French fouaille meant firewood or kindling. en.wiktionary.org
Fouaille derives from feu, meaning fire, ultimately from Late Latin focus, meaning fire, and Latin focus, meaning hearth. en.wiktionary.org
Fuel and focus are doublets, sharing Latin focus as their source through different routes. en.wiktionary.org
Fuel is related to Spanish fuego, meaning fire. en.wiktionary.org
Fuel is related to Portuguese fogo, meaning fire. en.wiktionary.org