What does hydroxy- mean? Hydroxy- is a combining form used like a prefix denoting chemical compounds in which the hydroxyl group is present. The hydroxyl group is a group of univalent compounds that contain oxygen and hydrogen, as indicated with the symbols -OH. It is used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry. Hydroxy- comes from the combination of two forms. The first form is hydr-, meaning “hydrogen.” The second is oxy-, meaning "oxygen."What are variants of hydroxy-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hydroxy- becomes hydrox-, as in hydroxide.
C19: hydro- + oxy ( gen )
from hydro- + oxy ( gen )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By experiments conducted with the hydroxy- pyridines he believed that he had demonstrated a relation between tautomerism or changed space relations in these sort of substances and curative properties.
From The Vitamine Manual by Eddy, Walter H.
Other substituent groups exercise morphotropic effects similar to those exhibited by the alkyl radicles; investigations have been made on halogen-, hydroxy-, and nitro-derivatives of benzene and substituted benzenes.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various
In a recent study, researchers identified a previously unknown compound called β-glucose-bound hydroxy mycosporine-sarcosine.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 13, 2026
“Many of these products are formulated for adults and contain harsh ingredients, such as hydroxy acids, retinoids and artificial fragrances, which are too aggressive for young, delicate skin and can cause irritation or long-term damage.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 21, 2024
It is so named because glycolic acid is one of a group of alpha hydroxy acids.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2020
This means that the hydroxy compounds act as acids when they react with strong bases and as bases when they react with strong acids.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
One day it’s a cluster of rare magnesium hydroxy carbonate; the next it’s a star sapphire that will set a man’s hand on fire if he touches it.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
