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

"And when we added the methyl groups back to the genes, they turned off again. So, these compounds aren't cobwebs -- they're anchors."

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

This reduces her ability to lay eggs and also lowers her production of methyl oleate, a pheromone that normally signals to workers that she is healthy.

From Science Daily • Nov. 22, 2025

In 2018, for instance, the FDA withdrew authorization for certain synthetic flavors—including benzophenone, ethyl acrylate, and eugenyl methyl ether—used to mimic flavors like mint, cinnamon and citrus in processed foods.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2025

So can the antifungal herbal oils in Listerine: eucalyptol, menthol, methyl salicylate and thymol.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

The most common example of this group is gaultherin, C14H18O8, which is found in the bark of the black birch and is a combination of glucose with methyl salicylate.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred