refuel
ree-FYOO-uhl
/ˌriːˈfjuːəl/
To supply or fill with fuel again, or to take in a fresh supply of fuel.
Can be used literally for motor vehicles and aircraft, or metaphorically for resting and restoring energy.
The story behind the word. The core word 'fuel' stems from Old French 'fouille', derived from Latin 'focus', meaning fireplace. Adding the prefix 're-' created 'refuel' in the early 20th century, coinciding with modern aviation and automotive technology.
Word relationships
- top up: Top up means filling a tank completely or replacing small amounts, whereas refuel refers to taking on fuel generally.
- gas up: Gas up is an informal American expression, whereas refuel is standard in both formal and informal registers.
- deplete: Deplete means using up stored energy or fuel entirely.
Commonly confused with
- recharge: Recharge applies to batteries or electrical devices, while refuel refers to liquid or chemical combustible fuel.
Word family
- refueling (noun): The action of replenishing fuel.
Collocations
- refuel the car
- stop to refuel
- refuel mid-flight
- chance to refuel
Example sentences
- "We decided to pull over at the highway plaza to refuel before driving into the desert." Road trip driving
- "The plane had to land at an isolated airfield to refuel during the storm." Literature citation
Memory hook
Think of putting 'fuel' back into the engine once 're-crossing' a long distance. Re (again) + Fuel (energy) = Fill up again.
When not to use
Do not use when simply adding oil, coolant, or washer fluid to a car; it applies strictly to energy fuel.
Fun facts
- In military aviation, aerial refueling allows aircraft to stay airborne for over 24 hours continuously.
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