acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈa-sə-ˌtōn How to pronounce acetone (audio)
: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C3H6O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine
acetonic
ˌa-sə-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce acetone (audio)
adjective

Examples of acetone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Blot those with rubbing alcohol or acetone once determining this won’t harm the fabric. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026 The piece was glued on with a medical adhesive, and the edges were blended off with acetone. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 Improperly Drying Flammable Items Drying clothes stained with any type of chemical stains such as gasoline, paint thinner, or acetone is a hazard. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2026 For me, this means quickly going over them with acetone and then applying a base coat, two color coats, and a top coat. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for acetone

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétone, from (esprit pyro-)acétique, literally, "pyro-acetic spirit," an earlier name for acetone + -one -one

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetone was in 1837

Rhymes for acetone

See All Rhymes for acetone

Browse Nearby Words

acetonate
acetone
acetone chloroform
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acetone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

acetone

noun
ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn How to pronounce acetone (audio)
: an easily evaporated fragrant flammable liquid compound used chiefly to dissolve or to make chemical compounds

Medical Definition

acetone

noun
ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn How to pronounce acetone (audio)
: a volatile fragrant flammable liquid ketone C3H6O used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis and found in abnormal quantities in diabetic urine

called also propanone

acetonic
ˌas-ə-ˈtän-ik How to pronounce acetone (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on acetone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acetone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All