carvacrol

American  

[kahr-vuh-krawl, -krohl] / ˈkɑr vəˌkrɔl, -ˌkroʊl /

noun

1. a colorless, thick, oily liquid, C 10 H 14 O, having a mintlike odor: used chiefly as a disinfectant, as a fungicide, and as a scent in the manufacture of perfume.

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Etymology

Origin of carvacrol

1850–55; < Medieval Latin caru ( i ) caraway + Latin acr- (stem of acer sharp; see acrid) + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

This reputation comes from several biologically active compounds -- thymol, carvacrol, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid -- that are known to support immune function while also offering anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant benefits.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

For basil, those oils are called eugenol and linalool; oregano gets its flavors from carvacrol and thymol.

From Salon • Jun. 20, 2023

In addition to the phenols, thymol or carvacrol, these oils contain cymene, thymene and pinene.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.966; phenols, chiefly carvacrol, estimated by absorption with 5 per cent. caustic potash solution, 80-82 per cent.; soluble in 2-3 volumes of 70 per cent. alcohol.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

It may be prepared by fusion of ortho-toluene sulphonic acid with potash; by the action of phosphorus pentoxide on carvacrol; or by the action of zinc chloride on camphor.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various