alcohol

 
Pronunciation: /ˈalkəhɒl/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a colourless volatile flammable liquid which is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel: it is an offence to drive if you have more than 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood the use of petrol containing alcohol
    • Alternative names: ethanol, ethyl alcohol; chemical formula: C2H5OH
  • drink containing alcohol: he has not taken alcohol in twenty-five years
  • [count noun] Chemistry any organic compound whose molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups attached to a carbon atom: unpleasant stuff like formaldehyde is produced as alcohols burn polyvinyl alcohol

Origin:

mid 16th century: French (earlier form of alcool), or from medieval Latin, from Arabic al-kuḥl 'the kohl'. In early use the term referred to powders, specifically kohl, and especially those obtained by sublimation; later 'a distilled or rectified spirit' (mid 17th century)

Spelling help

Spell alcohol with alco- at the beginning.

drink a large cold orange juice, not alcohol.