# gas

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɡæs/ · frequency rank #1,051

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. A chemical element or compound in such a state.
5. A hob on a gas cooker.
6. Methane or other waste gases trapped in one's belly as a result of the digestive process; flatus.
7. The supply of natural gas, as a utility.
8. A humorous or entertaining event, person, or thing.
9. Frothy or boastful talk; chatter.
10. A fastball.
11. Arterial or venous blood gas.

## 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.

## Easily confused with
- **go** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-go)
- **GM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gm)
- **GB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gb)
- **GF** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gf)
- **GP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gp)
- **ge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-ge)
- **gi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gi)
- **GS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gs)
- **GC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gc)
- **GR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gr)
- **gg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gg)
- **GL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gl)
- **GU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gu)
- **gd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gd)
- **GH** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gh)
- **get** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-get)
- **got** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-got)
- **god** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-god)
- **guy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-guy)
- **gun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gas-vs-gun)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gas