fuel

fuel oil

noun FWEL Rare

Origin: Borrowed directly from English 'fuel' in the 20th century, used specifically for heavy fuel oil.

Also means

heating oil

Usage Note

Fuel in Spanish is a false friend for English speakers: it does not mean 'fuel' in general but specifically fuel oil — the heavy residual oil used in ships, power stations, and heating. For general 'fuel' meaning petrol or diesel, Spanish uses combustible or carburante. The word is masculine (el fuel) and does not add -s in plural usage.

Examples

"El barco funciona con fuel."

Natural Translation

The ship runs on fuel oil.

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