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, ɪˈθɪlɪk, 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

• ethylic
  adjective
• nonethyl
  noun

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

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

Patients are treated by removal of the maggots, which need to be killed by putting them into a sealed container of concentrated ethyl or isopropyl alcohol then disposed of as biohazardous waste.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2025

Local media reported that ethyl acetate, a highly flammable chemical compound, was found at the attack sites.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

In 2018, for instance, the FDA withdrew authorization for certain synthetic flavors—including benzophenone, ethyl acrylate, and eugenyl methyl ether—used to mimic flavors like mint, cinnamon and citrus in processed foods.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2025

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