ethyl acetate

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid, C 4 H 8 O 2 , having a fragrant, fruitlike odor: used chiefly as a scent in the manufacture of perfumes, flavorings, and confections, and as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and lacquers.

---

ethyl acetate British  

noun

1. a colourless volatile flammable fragrant liquid ester, made from acetic acid and ethanol: used in perfumes and flavourings and as a solvent for plastics, etc. Formula: CH 3 COOC 2 H 5

---

ethyl acetate Scientific  

1. A colorless, volatile, flammable liquid used as a solvent and in perfumes, lacquers, pharmaceuticals, and rayon. Chemical formula: C ₄ H ₈ O ₂ .

---

Etymology

Origin of ethyl acetate

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

The obtained extracts were concentrated and partitioned between water and ethyl acetate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

Methylene chloride and ethyl acetate are commonly used in paint stripper, nail polish removers and degreaser.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2023

Conventional home fragrance products can contain hundreds of chemicals, including phthalates, benzaldehyde, camphor, ethyl acetate, benzyl acetate, musk ketone, benzene, formaldehyde, BHT and acetaldehyde.

From Washington Post • Mar. 15, 2023

The ethers are returned as ethyl acetate, but from fractional distillation amyl acetate was found to be present.

From Travels in West Africa by Kingsley, Mary H.