combustible

What does “combustible” mean?

adjective.able to catch fire and burn easily.

SAT Usage

The term is often used in contexts related to chemistry, safety, or environmental science, emphasizing the potential hazards associated with certain materials. It conveys a sense of urgency or risk that goes beyond mere flammability, distinguishing it from words like "flammable," which may not imply the same level of danger or volatility.

Common Confusions

Combustible implies a high risk of catching fire quickly under certain conditions, while flammable usually suggests a broader category of materials that can ignite, often without the same immediate danger connotation.

Example Sentences

• Sawdust is highly combustible and must be kept from open flames.

Word Parts: How to Remember “combustible”

Break “combustible” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)