English for Students

Flammable and Non-Flammable

What is difference between Flammable and Non-Flammable?

There is no difference between flammable and inflammable. Inflammable is not the opposite of flammable as some people think. When you say that something in flammable or inflammable, what you mean is that it is something that can easily catch fire.

• I understand that the chemicals stored in the factory are highly flammable / inflammable.

When you say that something is non-flammable, what you mean is that it is something which doesn’t catch fire easily. Another word which has more or less the same meaning is non-inflammable. One might say that these two words are the opposite of flammable and inflammable.

• If you are planning to walk through fire, wear this. I understand it is non-flammable.

COURTESY : THE HINDU - INDIA