accelerant
gb/æksˈɛlɚənt/ us/æksˈɛlɚənt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
C1
entity
1
Substance that spreads fire
A substance, often a liquid like gasoline, that makes a fire start or spread faster.
Usage pattern:
[an accelerant]; use [something] as an accelerant
Common mistake:
Do not confuse accelerant with accelerator, which usually refers to a device or program that increases speed or growth.
Synonyms
fuel (Broader; any material that burns, not necessarily added to start or intensify a fire.)
|
fire starter (More general and informal; can refer to a tool or material used to start a fire.)
|
ignitable liquid (More technical forensic term for many liquid accelerants.)
Antonyms
fire retardant (A substance that slows or prevents burning.)
|
extinguishing agent (A substance used to put out a fire, not intensify it.)
Collocations
use an accelerant
|traces of accelerant
|detect an accelerant
|flammable accelerant
|liquid accelerant
|chemical accelerant
|evidence of an accelerant
|accelerant residue
Themes
fire
|crime
|forensics
|safety
Examples
- Investigators found traces of an accelerant near the back door.
- The arson report said gasoline had probably been used as an accelerant.
- Never pour an accelerant onto an open flame.
Learner examples
- Police found an accelerant at the fire scene.
- Gasoline can act as an accelerant.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
Thing that speeds change
Something that makes a change or process happen more quickly.
Usage pattern:
[something] is an accelerant for/to [something]
Common mistake:
In this figurative sense, accelerant is often used for a force that speeds up an existing trend; catalyst is more common for something that starts or causes change.
Synonyms
catalyst (More common; can mean something that causes change, not only speeds it up.)
|
driver (Often used in business for a factor that strongly influences results.)
|
booster (More informal; suggests something that increases strength, speed, or success.)
Antonyms
brake (A factor that slows or stops progress.)
|
obstacle (Something that blocks or makes progress more difficult.)
|
drag (Something that slows performance or growth.)
Collocations
growth accelerant
|market accelerant
|digital accelerant
|innovation accelerant
|trend accelerant
|accelerant for change
|powerful accelerant
|act as an accelerant
Themes
business
|technology
|social_change
|economics
Examples
- The pandemic became an accelerant for remote work and online shopping.
- Cheap computing power has been an accelerant of artificial intelligence research.
- The new funding could act as an accelerant for the company's expansion.
Learner examples
- The new law was an accelerant for change.
- Better internet access can be an accelerant for growth.
Grammar
Dictionary form
accelerant
IPA
GB/æksˈɛlɚənt/
US/æksˈɛlɚənt/
Syllables & stress
ac - cel - er - ant (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cel)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: accelerant
- Plural: accelerants
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.