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

The surprise finding, Clark explains, came from chemical tags on DNA called methyl groups that help switch genes on and off. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

Most consumer clocks are built on DNA methylation, a process in which chemical tags called methyl groups attach to DNA as a person ages, altering the cytosine base and creating a pattern that correlates with biological age. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Four workers were killed in a 2014 methyl mercaptan leak at a DuPont industrial plant in suburban Houston. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Artificial Grape Deterrent Birds find the compound methyl anthranilate unpleasant. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 2026

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
• tetramethyl
• diethyl
• dimethyl
• tetraethyl
• trimethyl
• hydroxyethyl
• hydroxymethyl

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