Gas: meaning, definitions and examples
⛽
gas
[ɡas ]
Definitions
fuel
Gas is a substance that is burnt to provide heat or light. It is a fossil fuel that is used for cooking, heating, and powering vehicles.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| gas |
When not used to refer to gasoline, it can also mean a state of matter with no fixed shape, often referring to natural gas for heating and cooking.
|
| petrol |
This term is used mainly in British English and other Commonwealth countries to refer to gasoline. It is equivalent to 'gas' in American English.
|
| fuel |
A general term that includes any material that is burned or altered to obtain energy. It can refer to gasoline, diesel, coal, wood, or any other source of energy. This term is more technical and scientific.
|
| natural gas |
Specifically refers to the fossil fuel used for heating homes, cooking, and generating electricity. It is a more technical term and often used in energy discussions.
|
Examples of usage
- Please fill up the car with gas before we leave.
- She cooked the meal using gas on the stove.
state of matter
Gas is a state of matter in which the substance expands to fill its container completely. It is characterized by low density, lack of fixed shape, and high compressibility.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| gas |
Commonly used in American English to refer to gasoline, the fuel used in cars.
|
| vapor |
Refers to a substance in a gaseous state, especially when it transitions from a liquid or solid to a gas. Often used in scientific contexts or discussions about humidity.
|
Examples of usage
- The air we breathe is a mixture of gases.
- The helium balloon floated because it was filled with gas.
talk
To gas means to talk in a long-winded or insincere way, often to deceive or manipulate someone.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| gas |
This word can refer to someone talking a lot but can also mean fuel for cars or a state of matter. When referring to speech, it’s often used informally and can have a slightly negative connotation, suggesting meaningless talk.
|
| chatter |
Chatter refers to continuous, light, and often trivial conversation. It's often used when describing friendly or casual conversations that don’t go into depth on any serious topics.
|
| babble |
Babble is used to describe someone speaking quickly and excitedly in an incomprehensible way. It's often used to describe the speech of small children or someone who's nervous or overly excited.
|
| blabber |
Blabber is used when someone talks too much, often divulging secrets or unnecessary details. It has a negative connotation, implying that the person should be more discreet.
|
Examples of usage
- He would always gas on about his achievements at work.
- Don't believe everything he says, he's just gassing you.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The term 'gas' comes from the Greek word 'khaos,' meaning 'chaos,' which reflects how gas spreads out and fills space.
- In the 17th century, chemist Jan Baptist van Helmont first used the term to describe substances that were neither solid nor liquid.
- The study of gases led to the development of gas laws in the 18th and 19th centuries, foundational for modern chemistry.
Science
- Gases occupy more space than solids and liquids, making them less dense and allowing them to compress easily.
- The particles in gas move quickly and freely, sometimes at speeds over a thousand kilometers per hour!
- Different gases have distinct properties; for example, helium is lighter than air, allowing balloons to float.
Pop Culture
- In movies, gas is often portrayed as a mysterious or dangerous element, like in action films where it creates dramatic explosions.
- The popular phrase 'gaslight' refers to manipulating someone’s perception of reality, stemming from the 1944 film 'Gaslight.'
- The term 'gas' is used in music and slang, often meaning enjoyable or fun, like saying 'that party was a gas!'
Environmental Impact
- Certain gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, play significant roles in climate change and global warming.
- Natural gases are extracted for fuel and energy, lowering reliance on coal and oil, which can be environmentally damaging.
- Efforts are being made to develop 'green gases' from renewable sources, aiming to reduce pollution and combat climate change.
Everyday Life
- Gases are all around us, making up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere as nitrogen.
- We use gas in our homes for cooking and heating, often through natural gas lines.
- Respiration involves exchanging gases; we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, crucial for life!
Translations
Translations of the word "gas" in other languages:
🇵🇹 gás
🇮🇳 गैस
🇩🇪 Gas
🇮🇩 gas
🇺🇦 газ
🇵🇱 gaz
🇯🇵 ガス
🇫🇷 gaz
🇪🇸 gas
🇹🇷 gaz
🇰🇷 가스
🇸🇦 غاز
🇨🇿 plyn
🇸🇰 plyn
🇨🇳 气体
🇸🇮 plin
🇮🇸 gas
🇰🇿 газ
🇬🇪 გაზი
🇦🇿 qaz
🇲🇽 gas