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

Only soak your fingertips in acetone when removing polish: Avoid exposing your fingers or entire hand to the remover. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025

Afterward, the manicurist used acetone to disperse the ink with a thick nail brush (or 3D brush), creating gemstone veins. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 5 Jan. 2025

Exposure to chemicals in some detergents, cleaning fluids, and nail polish removers with acetone may also cause damage and weakness.5 Nail conditions: Certain chronic skin conditions may cause nail changes like weakness and thinness. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024

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

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

Rhymes for acetone

• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone
• dithizone

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