It was borrowed from the Latin ‘inflammare’ meaning ‘to set on fire’ or ‘causing to catch fire’. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. In addition to being more likely than other types of plants to catch fire, bamboo also. Polymer, the main material of plastic, combines hydrogen and oxygen. Let’s find out. Although the spelling "imflammable" doesn't seem to have ever been at all common relative to either inflammable or flammable, it does seem to have had Flammable and inflammable are two words with the same meaning. The proper proportion is called the. Flammable and combustible materials are separated by their differences in boiling point and flashpoint. Cite. The prefix ‘in’ in this Latin word did not mean ‘not’, but ‘to cause to’. Both words mean “easy to ignite or set fire to. " Nonflammable means a material that is not easily set on fire and burned. Want to learn more?Why Inflammable Is Not the Opposite of Flammable. It does not act as fuel for the fire to burn, it does however act as the oxidizing part of the fire triangle. In general, a substance is considered flammable if its flash point is less than 100°F (37. When we look at a word like inflammable, we instinctively feel it must be the. Combustible liquids have a flashpoint above 100 F. But it can also be used as. Yes they both mean combustible. INFLAMMABLE definition: An inflammable material or chemical catches fire and burns easily . To make things even more difficult, different oils have different flashpoints. ”. As a matter of fact, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same — capable of burning. So do burnable, ignitable. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent taste and is the by-product of fermentation. Some people mistake the words as having opposite meanings. Inflammable substances are also known as combustible or flammable. Business, Economics, and Finance. A flammable material is something that can catch fire (ignite) readily at an ambient temperature. )”. Summary. What do you mean by flammable gas? A flammable gas is a gas that burns in the presence of an oxidant when provided with a source of ignition. Because it is made from fully oxidized silicon, the only way to get the glass to burn would be to raise the temperatures so high that the silicon-oxygen bonds broke down. The Free Dictionary advises using only flammable to give warnings: Usage Note: Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. For this reason,. How to use inflammable in a sentence. Inflammable is traditionally used to mean "capable of burning" (compare inflame meaning "set on fire"); the term flammable is a more recent back-formation. However, the presence of the prefix in- has misled many people into assuming that inflammable means "not flammable" or "noncombustible. Where a flammable object can be set fire to, requiring a source of ignition, an inflammable substance can catch fire all by itself and includes unstable chemicals like some types of compressed gas and explosive hazards. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. But also, "in-" sometimes means "not" so people got worried that if you put "This product is inflammable" on stuff, people would think it's fireproof and then accidentally light it on fire. Inflammable means the same thing. They are variant versions of a word meaning. They include tetrachloroethylene, chloroform, hexafluoroisopropanol and water. Helium is an inert gas which is non-reactive, allowing for some unique uses from balloons and blimps to other industries with dangerous. Nonflammable definition: . FOLLOW ALONG ON THE WEBSITE WHY DOES "INFLAMMABLE" MEAN "FLAMMABLE"? When we’re describing something that burns easily, we say it’s flammable, but "inflammable. However, inflammable means that a substance is capabble of bursting into flames without the need for any ignition. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. Flammable was created to clear up the grammatical inconsistency, but inflammable didn't go away entirely. So the "in" in "inflammable" is not the same as the prefix "in-" that means "not". Why Inflammable Is Not the Opposite of Flammable What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Typically, alcohol that is 80 proof or higher (ABV of 40% or above) is flammable. Oxygen is not flammable, but it does intensify the combustion process and can cause fire to burn hotter and faster. The oxygen is what makes the fire burn at a much lower temperature, making the whole thing burn a lot hotter and faster. Combustible, a. Some of the non-flammable nail polishes on the market include SOPHi Nail Polish, piggy paint nail polish for kids, and suncoat nail polish. com. inflammable mix a highly. Learn more. This is perhaps the most perilously misunderstood word in the English language. Flammable liquids: 1 - Flash point < 23°C and initial boiling point ≤ 35°C. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Why does flammable and inflammable mean the same thing? How can someone "draw a blank"? Shouldn't there be a shorter word for "monosyllabic"? Why is the word "abbreviate" so long? Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets? What is another word for "thesaurus"? Visit the previous joke about this topic!Why do flammable & inflammable mean the same thing?. Flammable and inflammable are two words that sound like they would have opposite meanings, but they actually mean the same thing. Related:It means they are less volatile and hence, they will not burn easily at working temperature i. inflammable definition: 1. No, rubber is not flammable. . Both are characterized by their flash point, which is the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off. fiery, volatile, choleric. "Inflammable definition: . Very important. FLAMMABLE definition: Flammable chemicals , gases , cloth , or other things catch fire and burn easily . Also, "invaluable" doesn't mean quite the same thing as "valuable". The trouble is that water is never flammable precisely because hydrogen is very flammable. In general, the relative hazard of a flammable liquid increase as the flashpoint decreases. When vapors of a flammable liquid are combined with air in the right ratio, rapid combustion may occur in the presence of ignition. able…. The opposite of both words is non-flammable. Inflammable is by far the older of the two words. However,. Flammable and inflammable are two words that cause confusion. Something that will NOT. Inflammable and inflammatory can be confused with one another, but they also offer their own source of confusion with the prefix in-. ’ And it’s meant that since at least 1605, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. llama. A Category 1 flammable gas contains 85% or less flammable components. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Flashpoint. In fact, they say that you have much better odds of being struck by lightning than being caught in a. Something that will NOT. This means that, in practice, it will catch fire as soon as it is exposed to a naked flame or a spark without needing to be heated prior to this. In the early 20th century, firefighters worried that people might. Many volatile liquids are not combustible. Flammable placard. Understanding the confusion with this word in particular, most trucking. Why the water is not inflammable as hydrogen and oxygen are highly inflammable? I think you mean flammable, not inflammable. Combustible liquids have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures. 8°C), but below 200°F (93. It is usually illegal to conduct work that takes place in environments in which a flammable vapor exists in concentrations that. Nonetheless, "inflammable" is often erroneously thought to mean "non-flammable". What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. High oil or resin including gums or terpenes. This can lead to some confusion, with some individuals thinking that it means the opposite of flammable; that is, that it cannot be set on fire. In terms of occupational health and safety, flammable liquids and gases are often of greatest concern, because they tend to be the most volatile and storing them in a fire-safe way is more. The word ‘ flammable ’ applies to any substance, material or object that burns easily. " The prefix -in in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative prefix -in, which is related to the English -un and. Improve this answer. Posted by Fauske & Associates on 05. Yes, diesel is flammable and can catch fire. So here, "inflammable" isn't meant to be parsed as in-(flammable) as in "not able to set on fire" but rather (inflamm)-able as in, "able to be inflamed. It produces “metal fume fever” which has symptoms very similar to the flu. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Combustible liquids have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures. It boils at around 40°C (the same as diethyl ether) but is not remotely combustible or flammable. ”. And what is the opposite?. No, oxygen is not inherently flammable. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Bamboo has a higher flame temperature than wood, so it burns faster and hotter. e. This means it won’t burn easily, as it must react with oxygen (or another oxidizer) to catch fire. These terms are used to describe the conditions in which dangerous liquids are likely to ignite. com article you will learn the differences between the words Flammable and Inflammable. These flames are often controlled, but the danger arises when the bottle is too close to the stove. It does not act as fuel for the fire to burn, it does however act as the oxidizing part of the fire triangle. 2 - Flash point < 23°C and initial boiling point >35°C. hazardous — full of risk; perilous; risky: a hazardous journey. Are you ready?There isn’t one. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. But vinegar is an interesting liquid. . Flammable vs. An inflammable substance or material burns very easily: 2. What does this fire symbol represent? The fire emoji is a flame that is mostly yellow with a little red on the top. Most candles are made from paraffin wax and when that wax is vaporized, it is very combustible. Fire is a non-solid block that can spread to nearby flammable blocks and destroy them. non-flammable meaning: 1. Any liquid with a flash point between 100 − 200 ∘F 100 − 200 ∘ F is considered combustible. The opposite of both words is non-flammable. Never store perfume near an open flame or in any place where sparks are flying. Yes they both mean combustible. Jul 8, 2018. The enormous volume and frequency of use of flammable and combustible liquids and gases handled worldwide implies that the risk of industrial accidents is great. Something that will NOT. If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. The main difference between flammable and combustible liquids is the flashpoint, which refers to the lowest temperature at which the vapors generated by a liquid turn into a flammable gas and can ignite. Although it seems logical that inflammable might mean “not flammable,” the word actually means the opposite, because the in- prefix of inflammable comes from the Latin word meaning “in” or “into. Solution Flammable and inflammable are two words that cause confusion. Saw it crop up in a comment - I'm guessing it's to do with its Latin history, but would like further. Volatile means how quickly it evaporates. No, normal glass is not flammable and does not readily catch fire. 3kPa. [ in- flam- uh-b uhl ] show ipa. Flammable also comes from flammare. Helium is not a flammable or explosive gas. Wikipedia says that flammable and inflammable are synonyms, meaning "capable of burning". Business, Economics, and Finance. Flammable and inflammable are. These materials will not support combustion and will not catch fire when exposed to heat or flame. define: inflammable -gas or liquid able to ignite, explode or have adverse effect on humans or animals. Characteristics of highly flammable plants include: Dry and dead leaves or twigs. While it’s not technically considered a flammable liquid, oil does have a flashpoint which, if met, enough flammable vapors can be released to start a fire. Something that is flammable burns easily: 3. Follow answered Apr 3, 2011 at 13:. USAGE Flammable and inflammable are interchangeable when used of the properties of materials. These include 2:Hydrogen gas is highly reacted with flames for several reasons. When it's said that hydrogen is flammable, it doesn't mean the elemental form of hydrogen. flammable in British English. The in- has nothing to with the prefix meaning "not", but it's confused often enough that the letters are dropped in hazard symbols. However, the flammability of alcohol and its dangers depend on its proof and its form. ”. It is not combustible, meaning it will not burn when exposed to a flame. However, the terms flammable and combustible are often used interchangeably when, in fact, there are. A Category 2 flammable gas contains less than. This was actually a literary amendment per se. Flammable and inflammable cause a lot of confusion. Of the two words, it was ‘inflammable’ that entered the English language first – early 17th century. ” Instead, it is synonymous with “flammable” and should be used with caution to avoid misunderstandings. Add a comment. Flammable, a. Actually, the in- in inflammable was derived from the. See examples of FLAMMABLE used in a sentence. ” Using nonflammable is one way to ensure clarity. Should I Use Flammable or Inflammable? First, “flammable” and “inflammable” are NOT OPPOSITES. What does inflammable mean? Information and translations of inflammable in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Yes, candle wax can catch on fire. Flammable comes from the Latin word flamma, to set on fire. Whenvapors of a flammable liquid are mixed with air in the proper proportions in the presence of a source of ignition, rapid combustion or an explosion can occur. While the word may imply a non-flammable substance, it is a common misconception. "She is easily inflamed" does not equal "She is easily flamed" The more I know. Stack Exchange Network. ' 'Inflammable' has synonyms like 'combustible' and 'ignitable,' and. In terms of flammability, it may be the worst with a high burning rate. This article will cover whether or not diesel is. Foliage with low moisture. Why do people say oxygen is flammable? Oxygen is not flammable, but it does intensify the combustion process and can cause fire to burn hotter and faster. Most flammable liquids are highly volatile chemicals which emit hazardous vapours. 2 3. A liquid with a flashpoint between 100 F is combustible. We can see this in words like: This version of “in-” comes from the. The erroneous usage of the word "inflammable" is a significant safety hazard. liable to catch fire; readily combustible; inflammable. flammable now has certain technical uses, particularly as a warning on vehicles carrying combustible materials, because of a belief that some might interpret the intensive prefix in-of inflammable as a. It is easy to think of liquids that are both flammable and volatile: ethyl ether, pentane, gasoline, etc. The polishes also don’t contain alcohol, formaldehyde, or toluene. However, it can melt. Flammable and inflammable do not mean the same thing. So why are both of these words used when they seem like they would have the opposite definition, but in fact mean the exact same thing? The prefix “in-” does not always serve as being negative. Generally speaking, flammable liquids will ignite (catch on fire) and burn easily at normal working temperatures. In general, the relative hazard of a flammable liquid increase as the flashpoint decreases. NPFA Flammable Liquids Class. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. It’s an oxidizing agent, which means that it helps other things burn. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment . When exposed to a temperature of 1000°F (540°C), it will start melting. ” That isn’t totally true. -Capability of a combustible material to ignite easily, burn intensely or have rapid rate of flame spread. : capable of being set on fire and of burning quickly : flammable. temporary or ephemeral. If the concentration exceeds the higher value (UEL), the air. You should see oxygen rather as the substance that supports the combustion process rather than being a catalyst for it. Suppose you build a lab that is perfectly isolated from the outside world, meaning that no impurities or gases can enter it. (in)flammable means that it is easy to start the combustion. Worried about your writing? Submit your. Flammable range is the proportion of vapor to air mixture that is ignitable and is expressed in. flammable / inflammable; savoury / unsavoury; sensible / insensible; valuable / invaluable; Word Origin early 19th cent. likely to become violent or angry…. The reason two words are required is because they describe different ways in which the material combusts. Do the 2 words: 'Inflammable' & 'Flammable' mean the same thing? But the 2 words: 'Inexpensive' & 'Expensive' have opposite meanings? What is the…Diesel is flammable, according to the OHSA. Due to its extreme volatility. “For the record, ‘inflammable’ does mean ‘burnable. Flammable is derived from the Latin ‘flamma’, which translates to flame, while. Flammable and combustible materials achieve explosive tendencies depending on two factors: the concentration of vapors or particles suspended in air as well as the presence of an ignition source, whether that be heat or a spark. Note that combustible is not the same as (in)flammable: combustible means that a substance can burn or be burned. Bamboo is more flammable than wood. What is difference between flammable and inflammable? If something is flammable it means it. Are you ready?There isn’t one. This is much less common or obvious, so much so that inflammable can all too easily be taken to mean “not capable of burning”, when it really means “very easily set on fire”. So, why are there two different words? Some people mistake the words as having opposite meanings. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. If you add further heat to it, then it will produce harmful fumes. Instead of invalidating the subject word as it does in English (insufficient, inadequate), in Latin, the -in prefix means ‘to cause’. “non-flammable (gas, liquid, etc. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no difference between flammable and inflammable. (of a substance, informal) explosive. In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning "not," as it often does, "inflammable" comes from the latin. Dangerous compounds may occur from heat, including isocyanate vapor. Flammable liquids have a lower flashpoint than combustible liquids. Flammable and inflammable are both adjectives that mean “easily set on fire. Very important. Combustible. The ethanol in alcohol, otherwise known as ethyl alcohol, is in itself highly flammable. ” Because more people consider. Below this range, the substance is too lean to burn, and above it is too rich. ”. The in- of incombustible is a common prefix meaning "not," but the in- of inflammable is a different prefix. , hot), or refer to other various metaphorical fires. While flammable liquids have a flash point below 60 degrees. dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you. “The cause of all the confusion is the ‘in’ at the beginning of ‘inflammable. These fumes can make it difficult for you to breathe as well. As a matter of fact, flammable and inflammable mean exactly the same — capable of burning. I don't have an etymological explanation, but in this case I think the reason for this is that the "in-" in inflammable is part of the word "inflame". Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. What Does Flammable Aerosol Mean? A flammable aerosol is an aerosol that contains a component that is classified as flammable, whether it is liquid, gas or solid. Any aerosol that contains ≥ 85% flammable components (by mass) with a heat of combustion ≥ 30 kJ/g, and (if applicable) an ignition distance ≥ 75 cm (for spray aerosols) or a flame height ≥ 20 cm and a flame duration ≥ 2 s; or a flame height ≥ 4 cm and a flame duration ≥ 7 s (for foam aerosols). A substance is considered highly flammable if its ignition point is lower than 90 degrees F. Why do flammable and inflammable mean the same? Both words mean the same thing, but one of them is bound to confuse most people. In this case, rather than the prefix in- meaning “not,” as it often does, “inflammable” comes. It is their vapours combined with air, not the liquid or solids themselves, that ignite and burn. SYNONYMS 2. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. ”Inflammable and flammable both mean “combustible. likely to become violent or angry…. To explain the subtle difference between these substances: Flammable liquids will ignite and burn easily at normal working temperature, whereas combustible liquids are less volatile substances. The ‘in’ prefix in inflammable is derived from the Latin prefix ‘en’ meaning to cause a person or thing to be in (as in enslave, encourage). Meaning of inflammable. At least "incombustible" definitely does mean the opposite of "combustible". But there’s only a 5-20% acetic acid in vinegar along with 80-95% of water. Examples of nonflammable materials include helium, glass, and steel. No, the problem with oxygen is, that while not being flammable, it is much more efficient in supporting burning. 2. Inflammable comes from Latin inflammare ("to inflame"), itself. 8°C) and can ignite easily, even at low temperatures. e. arder. But the prefix “in-” can also mean “on” or “into. When these two elements combine, they release a great deal of energy in the form of heat and light. Therefore, water is unable to catch fire. Therefore, water is unable to catch fire because it’s. Latin has the noun flamma, which means (and is the source of the word) “flame. The antonym or word that means the opposite of flammable and inflammable is nonflammable. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. ” Using nonflammable is one way to ensure clarity. The true answer is yes and no. Soul fire is a dimmer turquoise variation of fire that is created when soul sand or soul soil is ignited. Flammable and inflammable do not mean the same thing. flammable — easily set on fire; combustible; inflammable. How do we know when to use which? Fortunately, I have an easy way to remember the difference. It is easy to think of liquids that are both flammable and volatile: ethyl ether, pentane, gasoline, etc. Another danger of using isopropyl alcohol is poisoning. ‘Nonflammable’ is the antonym. However, once rubber starts to burn, it can be very difficult to extinguish and it produces very toxic smoke that is filled with dangerous chemicals. 4 degrees Fahrenheit (93 Celsius) (the benchmark that makes a substance flammable or not). The first two mean the same thing, but one is preferred. : easily excited or angered. Inflammable comes from Latin inflammare ("to inflame"), itself from in - (here meaning "in" or "into") plus flammare ("to flame"). Inflammable. Is helium flammable? The answer is simply, no. In spite of appearances to the contrary, it is not the opposite of “flammable”; on the contrary, it is synonymous with “flammable,” which is a relatively recent made-up word, as you will see shortly. It can also convey that someone is sexy, (i. So you can say that rubber is not flammable. It's the diatomic hydrogen gas that is extremely flammable. it's like labeling something poisonous non-venomous Inflammable. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. Inflammable substances are the ones that are much harder to burn or catch fire. " This older version of "infamous" came from Latin "infamosus" which meant "not well known. This might seem surprising, given that the prefix in- normally has a negative meaning (as in indirect and insufficient), and so it might be expected that inflammable would mean the opposite of flammable, i. The melting point of fiberglass is very high, so do not expect it to start melting on a hot weather day. A good way to remember to use flammable over inflammable is that it is a simpler word, as is it’s opposite. What’s even more interesting is that it’s not the liquid that burns, it’s instead the vapors caused by evaporation that ignite. The most combustible solids are powdered, granular or pasty chemicals. An inflammable substance is one that is able to be set on fire. Synonyms for INFLAMMABLE: combustible, explosive, flammable, combustive, ignitable, fiery, ignitible, burnable; Antonyms of INFLAMMABLE: fireproof, incombustible. When you’re dealing with flammable liquids with a very low flash point, there can be a greater risk of fire, explosion and. Why Inflammable Is Not the Opposite of Flammable. 1. The only flammable part is the acetic acid. Inflammable and flammable are synonyms and mean ” able to burn ” even though they look like opposites. And it is thus logical to assume that if “flammable” means “catches fire easily,” “inflammable” would mean the opposite. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Motor oil, on the other hand, requires a much higher temperature to combust. However, the presence of the prefix in- has misled many people into assuming that inflammable means "not. IPA poisoning occurs when the liver is no longer able to manage the amount of IPA in the body. This definition highlights just how similar combustible and flammable liquids are. Different fabric types, like cotton and linen, also have a high burning rate, which can be lightened by applying nonflammable chemical additives. Flammable and combustible liquids are liquids that can burn. Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow,. A flammable material is something that can catch fire (ignite) readily at an ambient temperature. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. But if combustible means the opposite of incombustible, then why does “inflammable” mean the same. Login . Flammable and inflammable cause a lot of confusion. It boils at around 40°C (the same as diethyl ether) but is not remotely combustible or flammable. 1 (b): Have a flammable range with air of at least 12 percentage points regardless of the lower flammable limit. Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid, meaning that it can ignite and burn easily when exposed to a spark, flame, or high heat. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer. Why does inflammable mean flammable? If something is flammable it means it can be set fire to, such as a piece of wood. Abundant, dense foliage. There is no difference in meaning between flammable and inflammable. 1. Metaphorically speaking, inflammable also can mean easily. What does the word flammable. Significance of Flammability Testing. See examples of INFLAMMABLE used in a sentence. Thus inactive is the opposite of active and inelegant is the opposite of elegant. in·flam′ma·ble n. an inflammable temper. Technically, “nonflammable” means a. We often think of in- as meaning “not,” like the prefixes un- or non -. It’s in your body right now, in fact. Improve this answer. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. : capable of being easily ignited and of burning quickly flammable noun Synonyms burnable combustible combustive fiery ignitable ignitible inflammable touchy See all Synonyms &. Both words derive from the Latin inflammare , which translates as “to cause to catch fire” . " Water doesn’t burn because it’s already been through the process of combustion. in·flam·ma·ble. FLAMMABLES. Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and is inflammable. What does flammable mean and inflammable mean? Flammable AND inflammable both mean that something can easily catch fire. If you’re still a little confused, that’s okay. The word ‘ flammable ’ applies to any substance, material or object that burns easily. I also wouldn't question someones usage of "inflammable" to mean "not flammable" in the right context. Benzene is a highly flammable liquid that burns very easily at relatively low temperatures. inflammable definition: Inflammable liquids, gases, or materials burn very easily. Potentially, this misunderstanding could be disastrous. Flammable is the more recent and also the more common of the. Flammable is the standard term in the 21st century. The short answer is yes it is highly flammable, but there are a few things to clear up with this answer. Another use of this prefix is to mean ‘cause to be in’ a certain state, similar to the prefix en- in words like ‘enslaved’ or ‘enraged’. inflammable: 1 adj easily ignited Synonyms: flammable combustible capable of igniting and burningHowever, this does not mean that all perfumes are flammable. So they started saying "flammable" which. Ether is both very volatile and very flammable, so much so that most labs would prefer not to have it used anywhere where flames or. Flammable and inflammable are two words that cause confusion. Flammable and inflammable are two words that sound like they would have opposite meanings, but they actually mean the same thing. Suppose you build a lab that is perfectly isolated from the outside world, meaning that no impurities or gases. Many people assume flammable and combustible mean the same thing; however, they are strikingly different. Best Answer. In Middle English the word "infamous" did in fact mean "not well known. ] in·flam′ma·bil′i·ty n. Rubber is not highly flammable in that it has a high ignition temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (260 to 316 Celsius). However, when ‘flammable’ was introduced. It means capable of catching fire, combustible. Flammable and inflammable are both adjectives that mean easy to set on fire. Inflammable.