acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈa-sə-ˌtōn 

: 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 

adjective

Examples of acetone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigators wrote in documents of finding more ominous items that Mr. Jabbar had left behind, including supplies that could be used for an explosive device: acetone, bottles of sulfuric acid and bags labeled as potassium nitrate. —Edgar Sandoval, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Because the witch's green body paint was copper-based, and therefore toxic if absorbed into the bloodstream, Hamilton's burns had to be sterilized with acetone. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Wear gloves when touching cleaning products, take a break from painting your nails, and avoid acetone nail polish remover. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024

This involves soaking the plant in acetone, straining it, and allowing the acetone to evaporate. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

acetone

noun

ac·​e·​tone ˈas-ə-ˌtōn 

: 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 

: 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 

adjective