methyl

noun

meth·​yl ˈme-thəl 

: an alkyl radical CH₃ derived from methane

methylic

mə-ˈthi-lik 

adjective

Examples of methyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Healthy cells that still have their MGMT gene intact will simply pluck the methyl group back off. —Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026

Not surprisingly, preliminary studies have found that the amount of methyl mercury in lichens is highest near the coast and rapidly drops off farther inland. —Daniella Garcia Almeida, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

The two companies will use the biofuel UCOME, which stands for used cooking oil methyl ester, as an alternative to traditional fuels. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 29 Dec. 2025

Some molecules involved in epigenetic processes, such as methyl or acetyl groups, interface directly with DNA or bind to proteins attached to DNA. —Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, back-formation from methylene

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing methyl

• methyl acetate
• methyl alcohol
• methyl bromide
• methyl chloroform
• methyl ethyl ketone
• methyl isocyanate
• methyl methacrylate
• methyl orange
• methyl parathion

Rhymes for methyl

• ethel
• ethyl
• chloroethyl
• chloromethyl
• monomethyl
• diethyl
• dimethyl
• tetraethyl
• trimethyl
• hydroxyethyl

Kids Definition

methyl

noun

meth·​yl ˈmeth-əl 

: a chemical group consisting of carbon and hydrogen

Medical Definition

methyl

noun

meth·​yl

ˈmeth-əl, British also ˈmē-ˌthīl

: an alkyl group CH₃ that is derived from methane by removal of one hydrogen atom

methylic

mə-ˈthil-ik 

adjective