What does acetone mean?
Acetone is the simplest and best-known member of the ketone family of organic compounds, a clear, fast-evaporating liquid with the formula CH₃COCH₃ and a mildly sweet, distinctive smell. Best known to most people as the active ingredient in nail polish remover, it is also one of the most important industrial solvents, dissolving resins, plastics, paints, and varnishes, and serving as a raw material in manufacturing processes such as the production of bisphenol A and acrylics. Acetone is highly flammable, so it must be handled away from open flames. Remarkably, it is not purely artificial: the human liver produces small quantities of acetone when breaking down fats, which is why people fasting or following very low-carbohydrate diets may notice a fruity tinge to their breath. The name derives from Latin roots relating to acetic acid, reflecting its historical discovery among the products of acid distillation.
nounA colourless, volatile, flammable liquid ketone (CH₃COCH₃) with a characteristic sweetish odour, used chiefly as a solvent and in the manufacture of plastics and other chemicals. It is also produced naturally in the human body during fat metabolism.
- The organic compound propanone (CH₃COCH₃), a volatile solvent used in industry, laboratories, and household products such as nail polish remover.
- Acetone as it occurs biologically — a ketone body produced by the liver during fat metabolism, detectable on the breath or in urine.
"She used a little acetone to remove the old varnish from the table."
"The technician wiped down the glassware with acetone before beginning the analysis."
"On a strict ketogenic diet, small amounts of acetone are exhaled, giving the breath a faintly fruity odour."
Your body makes its own acetone — it's the chemical behind the fruity smell on the breath of people on very low-carb diets.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of acetone
The word acetone was coined in the 19th century from 'acet-', referring to acetic acid (from Latin 'acetum', meaning vinegar), combined with '-one', a suffix introduced by chemists to denote ketones. It reflects the compound's early identification among the distillation products of acetates. Related words sharing this root include acetic, acetate, and acetyl, all tracing back to the same Latin source for vinegar.
Related word forms
How acetone is actually used
Acetone is a technical/scientific term but widely familiar from everyday products like nail polish remover. It carries no strong connotation beyond its association with solvents and industrial chemistry. The spelling and pronunciation are essentially identical in British and American English.
Easily confused with acetone
Acetone is a specific, simple ketone, whereas 'ketone' refers to the whole class of organic compounds containing a carbonyl group bonded to two carbon atoms.
Acetylene is a flammable gas (C₂H₂) used in welding, while acetone is a liquid solvent; acetone is notable for being able to dissolve large volumes of acetylene for safe storage.