hydroxy-

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

   hydroxyketone.

hydroxy

¹

/ haɪˈdrɒksɪ /

adjective

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

hydroxy-

²

combining_form

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

hydroxy

/ hī-drŏk′sē /

1. Containing the hydroxyl group (OH).

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydroxy-¹

C19: hydro- + oxy ( gen )

Origin of hydroxy-²

from hydro- + oxy ( gen )

Example Sentences

But many of its bestsellers, which cost about £60 each, contain exfoliators such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids and vitamin-A derivative retinol.

From BBC

Furthermore, the new platinum complex could catalyze the hydroxy/alkoxy alkylation of olefins -- a reaction that could not be catalyzed with existing well-known ligands.

From Science Daily

Superfrau contains lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid found in moisturizers and serums.

From New York Times

The potent serum will give your skin a fresh glow, and includes Vitamin E, to help lessen fine lines and calm skin irritation, as well as Beta Hydroxy Acid to unclog pores and reduce redness.

From Los Angeles Times

The potent serum will give your skin a fresh glow, and includes Vitamin E, to help lessen fine lines and calm skin irritation, as well as Beta Hydroxy Acid to unclog pores and reduce redness.

From Los Angeles Times

Words That Use hydroxy-

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.

Examples of hydroxy-

One example of a scientific term that features the form hydroxy– is hydroxyketone, “a ketone containing a hydroxyl group.”

The form hydroxy– denotes the presence of a hydroxyl group, as we have seen. A ketone is any of a class of organic compounds containing a carbonyl group, CO, attached to two alkyl groups. Hydroxyketone literally means “a ketone with a hydroxyl group.”

What are some words that use or are closely related to the combining form hydroxy-?

• hydroxylamine
• hydroxylase
• hydroxylate
• hydroxymethyl
• hydroxyurea
• hydroxyzine

What are some other forms that hydroxy– may be commonly confused with?

• dehydro-
• hydro-
• oxy-

Break it down!

Methyl is a scientific term meaning “containing the methyl group.” With this in mind, what kind of chemical compound is hydroxymethyl?