gas
Matter in an intermediate state between liquid and plasma that can be contained only if it is fully surrounded by a solid (or in a bubble of liquid, or held together by gravitational pull); it can condense into a liquid, or can (rarely) become a solid directly by deposition.
Noun 4 meanings
Matter in an intermediate state between liquid and plasma that can be contained only if it is fully surrounded by a solid (or in a bubble of liquid, or held together by gravitational pull); it can condense into a liquid, or can (rarely) become a solid directly by deposition.
“A lot of gas had escaped from the cylinder.”
A chemical element or compound in such a state.
“The atmosphere is made up of a number of different gases.”
A hob on a gas cooker.
“She turned the gas on, put the potatoes on, then lit the oven.”
Methane or other waste gases trapped in one's belly as a result of the digestive process; flatus.
“My tummy hurts so bad – I have gas.”
Verb 4 meanings
To attack or kill with poison gas.
To use poison gas in (a volume or area) to attack or kill someone or something.
To emit gas.
“The battery cell was gassing.”
To impregnate with gas.
“to gas lime with chlorine in the manufacture of bleaching powder”
Etymology
Borrowed from Dutch gas, coined by chemist Jan Baptist van Helmont in Ortus Medicinae. Derived from Ancient Greek χάος (kháos, “chasm, void, empty space”); perhaps also inspired by geest (“breath, vapour, spirit”). Doublet of chaos. First attested in 1648.
Similar and opposite words
GAS at a glance
GAS has 3 letters and scores 4 points in Scrabble (G 2 + A 1 + S 1) and 5 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,012 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with gas
All rhymes- VEGAS9
- DEGAS7
- SAGAS6
- BIOGAS9
- CHAGAS12
- TEARGAS8
- NAGAS6
- GIGAS7
- BODEGAS11
- MANGAS9
- BELUGAS10
- YOGAS9
One letter away
Keep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.