What does ethanol mean?
Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid with the chemical formula C₂H₅OH — the simplest of the alcohols that people actually consume. Produced naturally by yeast fermenting sugars, it is best known as the intoxicating ingredient in beer, wine, and spirits, but its uses reach far beyond the bar. In industry, ethanol serves as a solvent in perfumes and pharmaceuticals, an antiseptic in hand sanitizers, and a major biofuel: countries such as Brazil and the United States blend large volumes of corn- or sugarcane-derived ethanol into gasoline. The word carries a scientific register — chemists, doctors, and policymakers say "ethanol" where everyday speakers would say "alcohol" — yet it appears constantly in news about energy, public health, and climate. Its flammability and intoxicating effects make it both one of humanity's most useful and most carefully regulated substances.
nounA colorless, volatile, flammable liquid alcohol (C₂H₅OH) produced by the fermentation of sugars, best known as the intoxicating component of alcoholic drinks and widely used as a fuel, solvent, and antiseptic.
- The specific chemical compound C₂H₅OH, especially as produced industrially or used as a biofuel, solvent, or antiseptic.
- The alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages, responsible for intoxication.
"The distillery converts surplus grain into ethanol for use as a renewable fuel additive."
"Brazil runs a large share of its vehicle fleet on ethanol distilled from sugarcane."
"Blood samples are routinely tested to measure the concentration of ethanol after suspected impairment."
Rarely pluralized; used mainly in technical writing to distinguish different grades or sources of ethanol.
"The refinery produces several fuel-grade ethanols from different feedstocks."
The ethanol in your glass was first made by microbes billions of years ago — humans just figured out how to scale up their work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ethanol
The word "ethanol" combines "ethane" — from German "Äthan," coined in the 19th century on the model of Latin "aether" (itself from Greek "aithēr," meaning upper air or ether) — with the "-ol" suffix chemists adopted from "alcohol" to denote compounds of that class. The name reflects the compound's historical relationship to ether, since ethanol can be converted into diethyl ether. It emerged in the late 19th century as systematic chemical nomenclature developed. Cognate terms sharing this root include ethane, ethyl, and ether.
How ethanol is actually used
"Ethanol" is a technical term common in chemistry, medicine, fuel policy, and regulatory contexts; in casual speech about drinking, people say simply "alcohol." It is uncountable when referring to the substance generally.
Easily confused with ethanol
Methanol is a different, far more toxic alcohol used industrially and never safe to drink, whereas ethanol is the alcohol in beverages.
Ethylene (ethene) is a hydrocarbon gas used to ripen fruit and make plastics, not an alcohol like ethanol.