ethyl

American  

[eth-uhl] / ˈɛθ əl /

adjective

1. Chemistry. containing the ethyl group, as ethyl ether, C 4 H 10 O.

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noun

1. a type of antiknock fluid, containing tetraethyl lead and other ingredients for a more even combustion.

ethyl British  

/ ˈɛθɪl, ˈiːθaɪl /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group C 2 H 5-

   ethyl group or radical

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ethyl Scientific  

/ ĕth′əl /

1. The radical C ₂ H ₅, derived from ethane.

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Other Word Forms

• nonethyl
  noun
• ethylic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ethyl

From German Ethyl, coined by J. von Liebig in 1834; see ether, -yl

Compare meaning

How does ethyl compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• methyl vs. ethyl

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ethyl

Another makes acetic anhydride, a key ingredient of aspirin, and the third makes ethyl acetate, which is used as a solvent and for decaffeinating tea and coffee.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

The product, an ethyl alcohol-based hand cleaner that dries on its own, was invented in 1988, and later sold to Warner-Lambert, a Pfizer unit, in 2004.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026

Centers for Disease Control says chloroethane, which is also called ethyl chloride, is a colorless gas with a sharp odor that can also exist as a quick-evaporating liquid.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2025

One of the common solvents, ethyl acetate, comes naturally in many foods and beverages.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2024

He said, “I guess your daddy would have to bum premium in that big Packard, wouldn’t he? I don’t think those big engines can run on ethyl gasoline.”

From "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis