Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

acetylacetone

noun
Save Word
ace·​tyl·​ac·​e·​tone | \ ə-ˈsē-tᵊl-ˈa-sə-ˌtōn, ˈa-sə-tᵊl-, ˈa-sə-ˌtēl- \
plural -s

Definition of acetylacetone

: a colorless liquid diketone of pleasant odor known in two forms [keto form CH3COCH2COCH3 and enol form CH3COCHC(OH)CH3] made in various ways (as by the reaction of sodium with acetone and ethyl acetate); 2,4-pentanedione

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of acetylacetone

1887, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for acetylacetone

International Scientific Vocabulary acetyl + acetone

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about acetylacetone

Time Traveler for acetylacetone

Time Traveler

The first known use of acetylacetone was in 1887

See more words from the same year

Statistics for acetylacetone

Cite this Entry

“Acetylacetone.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetylacetone. Accessed 8 December 2019.

Comments on acetylacetone

What made you want to look up acetylacetone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

circumscribe

Listen to the pronounciation of circumscribe

to constrict the range or activity of

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Semantic Drift Quiz

  • a twisty river
  • Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games