Aerosol
/ˈæroʊsɒl/
nounBeginner📊CommonSubstance
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in a gas.
/ˈæroʊsɒl/
nounneutralBeginner
Substance
A substance enclosed under pressure and released as a fine spray, mist, or foam.
The aerosol can was empty.
💡 Simply: A spray can.
More Examples
2
He used an aerosol to paint the car.
How It's Used
Household Products
"She sprayed the aerosol cleaner onto the countertop."
Medical
"The doctor prescribed an aerosol inhaler for his asthma."
From aero- + sol, combining forms of Greek *aēr* "air" and Latin *sol* "sun," originally referring to a colloid of solid or liquid particles suspended in a gas.
The term's usage significantly increased with the rise of consumer products in the mid-20th century.
Memory tip
Think 'air' (aero) and 'sol' (solution) - a solution in the air.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"air + solution"
Base: aerosol
aerosol canaerosol spraypressurized aerosol
Common misspellings
aerosoleareosolaerosal
Practice
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written