Meaning & use
flame retardant
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
A substance added to materials to make them burn more slowly or resist catching fire.
Grammar: Countable; can be used in the plural, e.g., 'various flame retardants'.
Patterns
- add a flame retardant to something
- use flame retardants in something
The manufacturer added a flame retardant to the fabric to meet safety standards.
Many flame retardants contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
Researchers are developing new flame retardants that are less toxic.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Describing a material that has been treated to resist catching fire or to burn slowly.
Grammar: Used before a noun, often hyphenated: 'flame-retardant material'.
Patterns
- flame-retardant material
- flame-retardant clothing
Firefighters wear flame-retardant suits to protect themselves from intense heat.
The curtains are made of flame-retardant fabric for safety in public buildings.
All children's pajamas must be flame retardant by law.
Word forms
| plural | flame retardants |
|---|
Common combinations
- flame-retardant material
- The seats on the train are covered in flame-retardant material.
- flame-retardant clothing
- Workers in the oil industry must wear flame-retardant clothing.
- add a flame retardant
- They add a flame retardant to the plastic during production.
- flame-retardant properties
- The new foam has excellent flame-retardant properties.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fire-resistant
- Similar but often means able to withstand fire for a certain time without burning; 'flame retardant' emphasizes slowing the spread of fire.
- fireproof
- Stronger: completely unable to burn. 'Flame retardant' materials can still burn, but more slowly.
Opposites
Word family
- retardant noun
- A substance that slows down a process; often used in combination, e.g., 'fire retardant'.
Commonly confused: flame retardant or flameproof?
flame retardant vs flameproof
Means completely resistant to fire, while 'flame retardant' means it resists but may still burn.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'flame retardant' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 is correct because 'flame retardant' as a noun refers to a substance added to materials. Option 0 is wrong because 'flame retardant' does not mean completely fireproof; it slows burning. Option 2 is wrong because it confuses the substance with a type of fire. Option 3 is wrong because a flame retardant is not an item of clothing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “flame retardant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.