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petrol

(informal) A motor vehicle powered by petrol (as opposed to diesel).

ˈpɛt.ɹəlCurrent110 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
3 definitions
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Seen in the wild
10 citations · last seen May 2026

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#1·Apr 27, 2026

(informal) A motor vehicle powered by petrol (as opposed to diesel).

1987 October 29, Advertisement, New Scientist, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=zNhrfn31WcAC&pg=PA31&dq=%22petrol%22|%22petrols%22+-intitle:%22petrol%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nNfWT67gJMaWiQf02JyRAw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%2…
Heard in the wild
  • “You're talking about AC voltage (which in Aus is 220-250V AC) I'm referring to 13.8 V DC (same as ya petrol/diesel car's battery). What you're saying doesn't make any sense. Your fuses or circuit breakers would trip, or the larger-rated ones on nearby power lines would trip.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “So obviously it's not great to watch the world's real economy hover over the cliff, but try as I might I'm finding it impossible to hate plastics and petrol becoming more expensive.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “28 fatalities for the Ford Pinto (unsafe rear petrol tank with rear end collisions), but apparently around 300 for the Cybertruck. No wonder they are banned in the EU.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Impressive EV growth in Canberra. In April, 33% of newly registered vehicles were pure battery electric. Add plug-in hybrids and the total rises to ~44%. Every driver who switches from petrol/diesel to EV frees up more fuel for those who haven't, improving Aus fuel security. /1”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Iran war to push 200,000 UK households into poverty Niesr warns rising energy bills, petrol prices and food costs will erode living standards for those on lowest incomes www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(transitive, dated) To fill or supply (a vehicle, etc.) with petrol.

Heard in the wild
  • “9/11 convenience store. No petrol, it's all an inside job.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Tell me about it! If my maths is correct, we're paying the equivalent of $9.40 a gallon of petrol/gas. And one of my vehicles does 15-18 mpg!!! Fortunately the other does nearly 40mpg. And also fortunately I'm still able to take a bus to work and run home if I need to.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Actually it's $8.40/gallon for petrol/gas ($9.40 for diesel)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Ad: For Sale - VW Golf Cabriolet 2.0 Petrol #VWGolf #Cabriolet #ClassicCars”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Do this for years. Keep doing it. Like adding a little bit of petrol to your diesel car every time. Eventually it’s not going to function to spec. It’s just not. You’re gonna break it.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(Commonwealth, excluding, Canada) A fluid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily consisting of octane, commonly used as a motor fuel.

1987 October 29, Advertisement, New Scientist, [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=zNhrfn31WcAC&pg=PA31&dq=%22petrol%22|%22petrols%22+-intitle:%22petrol%22+-inauthor:%22%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nNfWT67gJMaWiQf02JyRAw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%2…
Origin: , from , from , from stone, rock+ olive oil, any oily substance.. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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