Jump To:

• methyl
  methyl

  adjective

  containing the methyl group. Me
• methyl-
  methyl-

  a combining form occurring in the names of chemical compounds in which the methyl group is present.

methyl

¹ American  

[meth-uhl] / ˈmɛθ əl /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing the methyl group. Me

---

methyl- ² American  

1. a combining form occurring in the names of chemical compounds in which the methyl group is present.

   methylamine.

---

methyl British  

/ ˈmiːθaɪl, ˈmɛθɪl /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group of atoms CH 3

2. an organometallic compound in which methyl groups are bound directly to a metal atom

---

methyl Scientific  

/ mĕth′əl /

1. The radical CH ₃, derived from methane.

---

Other Word Forms

• methylic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of methyl

First recorded in 1835–45; by back formation from methylene

Compare meaning

How does methyl compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• methyl vs. ethyl

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

methyl methyl-

Others included a carboxylic acid moiety or a methyl ester side chain.

From Science Daily ● May 27, 2026

The tank contains methyl methacrylate, which is highly flammable.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026

The EPA says methyl methacrylate is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes in humans.

From Barron's ● May 24, 2026

The tank contains a toxic chemical known as methyl methacrylate, or MMA, which makes acrylic plastics and can cause eye, skin and breathing issues, according to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026

Dimethylaniline, di-meth-il-an′i-lin, n. an oily liquid: aniline heated with methyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid—from which dyes are obtained.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Crude wood spirit, which has been freed from acetic acid, consists in the main of a mixture of acetone and methyl- alcohol.

From Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise by P. Gerald (Percy Gerald) Sanford