aniline

noun

an·​i·​line ˈa-nə-lən 

: an oily liquid poisonous amine C₆H₅NH₂ obtained especially by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes)

Examples of aniline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sunlight replaces fossil hydrogen The system converted 24 different nitroarenes into anilines with yields ranging from 83 percent to 99 percent. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026

Top-grain aniline leather and the bright minds behind CB2 will do that. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2026

On safety and environment, Li said the company’s fermentation and formulations avoid aniline, formaldehyde, and heavy metals. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025

To make up for the loss of grapes, writes economic historian James Simpson, large wine houses simply began importing vines and grapes from other countries, making wine from raisins, and dying their product red with anything from elderberries to coal-tar anilines. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

German Anilin, from Anil indigo, from French, from Portuguese, from Arabic al-nīl the indigo plant, from Sanskrit nīlī indigo, from feminine of nīla dark blue

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aniline

• aniline dye

Rhymes for aniline

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean
• carnitine

Kids Definition

aniline

noun

an·​i·​line ˈan-ᵊl-ən 

: an oily poisonous liquid that is used in making dyes

Medical Definition

aniline

noun

an·​i·​line ˈan-ᵊl-ən 

: an oily liquid poisonous amine C₆H₅NH₂ obtained especially by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes and pharmaceuticals)

aniline adjective