fuel

 
Pronunciation: /fjʊəl/

noun

[mass noun]
  • material such as coal, gas, or oil that is burned to produce heat or power: one aircraft ran out of fuel and had to ditch [count noun]: buses powered by alternative fuels [as modifier]: an engine with high fuel consumption
  • short for nuclear fuel
  • food, drink, or drugs as a source of energy: any protein intake can also be used as fuel
  • a thing that sustains or inflames passion, argument, or other intense emotion: the remuneration packages will add fuel to the debate about top-level rewards

verb (fuels, fuelling, fuelled; US fuels, fueling, fueled)

[with object]
  • 1supply or power (an industrial plant, vehicle, or machine) with fuel: power stations fuelled by low-grade coal
  • 2cause (a fire) to burn more intensely: petrol may have been used to fuel the fire don’t open a door or you could fuel the flames
  • sustain or inflame (an intense feeling): his resignation fuelled speculation of an imminent cabinet reshuffle

Phrases

add fuel to the fire (or flames)

cause a situation or conflict to become more intense.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French fouaille, based on Latin focus 'hearth' (in late Latin 'fire')

Spelling rule

Double the l when adding endings which begin with a vowel to words which end in a vowel plus l (as in travel): (fuels, fuelling, fuelled).