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• hydroxy-
  hydroxy-

  a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the hydroxyl group is present.
• hydroxy
  hydroxy

  adjective

  (of a chemical compound) containing one or more hydroxyl groups

hydroxy-

American  

1. a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the hydroxyl group is present.

   hydroxyketone.

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hydroxy ¹ British  

/ haɪˈdrɒksɪ /

adjective

1. (of a chemical compound) containing one or more hydroxyl groups

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hydroxy- ² British  

combining form

1. (in chemical compounds) indicating the presence of one or more hydroxyl groups or ions

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hydroxy Scientific  

/ hī-drŏk′sē /

1. Containing the hydroxyl group (OH).

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of hydroxy¹

C19: _hydro- + _oxy ( _gen )

Origin of hydroxy-¹

from _hydro- + _oxy ( _gen )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hydroxy- hydroxy

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

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 Walter H. Eddy

Dr Kently says he's seen an exponential rise in a condition called perioral dermatitis in teens, which is related to the overuse of ingredients that strip skin barriers like exfoliating hydroxy acids and retinoids.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

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

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

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