# absinthol

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absinthol
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a chemical found in wormwood that gives absinthe its strong, bitter taste and green color. It is also known as thujone.

For teachers: a volatile, bitter-tasting chemical compound found in the leaves of the wormwood plant, responsible for the characteristic flavor and color of absinthe. It is chemically identified as thujone.

## Examples

- Absinthol is the main chemical in absinthe.
- The high concentration of absinthol in the drink was a key reason for its historical ban in many countries.
- While absinthol is primarily associated with the hallucinogenic properties of absinthe, modern research suggests that its effects are largely psychological rather than purely physiological.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.