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• 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

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methyl- ² American  

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

   methylamine.

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methyl British  

/ ˈmiːθaɪl, ˈmɛθɪl, məˈθɪlɪk /

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

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methyl Scientific  

/ mĕth′əl /

1. The radical CH ₃, derived from methane.

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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

Methyl groups position themselves on DNA, changing the way in which the genome is read in the cell.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2024

Methyl alcohol, also known as wood alcohol, is unsafe for human consumption and finds use in products from paint thinners to fuel, pesticides and anti-freeze, among others.

From Reuters • Jul. 27, 2022

Methyl bromide, once the industry favorite, was banned more than a decade ago for its effect on the ozone layer, and has also been identified as a neurotoxin and respiratory irritant.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 26, 2022

Methyl anthranilate is a nontoxic compound responsible for the grape flavor found in grape-flavored bubble gum and candy and soda; it's also a proven bird repellant.

From Salon • May 23, 2021

Methyl red is described as crystallizing in needles from glacial acetic acid; on recrystallization from toluene it separates in plates.

From Organic Syntheses by Conant, James Bryant