naphtha

UK: /ˈnæfθə/ US: /ˈnæfθə, ˈnæp-/ ,(naf′thə, nap′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

naph•tha /ˈnæfθə, ˈnæp-/   n. [uncountable]

1. Chemistry a colorless, flammable liquid used to dissolve other substances and as a fuel.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

naph•tha  (naf′thə, nap′-), n. 

1. Chemistry a colorless, volatile petroleum distillate, usually an intermediate product between gasoline and benzine, used as a solvent, fuel, etc. Cf. mineral spirits. 
2. Chemistry any of various similar liquids distilled from other products.
3. Chemistry petroleum.

• Iranian *nafta, derivative of *nab- to be damp; compare Avestan napta- damp, Persian naft naphtha
• Greek náphthas, perh.
• Latin
• 1565–75

naph′thous, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

naphtha / ˈnæfθə ˈnæp-/ noun

1. a distillation product from coal tar boiling in the approximate range 80–170°C and containing aromatic hydrocarbons
2. an obsolete name for petroleum

Etymology: 16th Century: via Latin from Greek, of Iranian origin; related to Persian neft naphtha