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

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.

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.

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