Word
phenol
Phoneticsphe·nol, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɛnəɫ/
UK/fˈɛnɒl/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a strong chemical with a sharp smell, used to kill germs and to make plastics and medicines.
n. a toxic crystalline organic compound derived from benzene, valued as a disinfectant and as a raw material for plastics, resins and drugs.
Examples
“Workers use diluted phenol to disinfect hospital floors.”
“The lab technician stores phenol in a sealed bottle because its fumes irritate the skin and lungs.”
“Early surgeons sprayed diluted phenol in operating theatres to reduce infection, a practice that foreshadowed modern antiseptic technique despite its toxicity to living tissue.”
Examples
simple
“Workers use diluted phenol to disinfect hospital floors.”
contextual
“The lab technician stores phenol in a sealed bottle because its fumes irritate the skin and lungs.”
complex
“Early surgeons sprayed diluted phenol in operating theatres to reduce infection, a practice that foreshadowed modern antiseptic technique despite its toxicity to living tissue.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “phenol” in context.
Verb
01. contain phenol
“Some throat lozenges contain phenol to numb pain and kill bacteria.”
verb + noun
02. detect phenol
“Analysts can detect phenol in water at very low concentrations.”
verb + noun
03. disinfect with phenol
“Victorian hospitals disinfected wards with phenol to reduce infection.”
verb + prep + noun
04. expose to phenol
“Faulty seals can expose workers to phenol fumes during distillation.”
verb + prep + noun
05. neutralize phenol
“Spills should be absorbed with sand to neutralize phenol residues.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. concentrated phenol
“Concentrated phenol causes chemical burns and requires immediate washing.”
adj + noun
07. crude phenol
“Crude phenol extracted from coal tar needs further purification.”
adj + noun
08. molten phenol
“Molten phenol must be handled with heat-resistant gloves.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. derivative of phenol
“Paracetamol is a widely used derivative of phenol.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a dilute solution of phenol
“Nurses applied a dilute solution of phenol to disinfect the wound.”
11. burns caused by phenol
“Burns caused by phenol require prolonged irrigation and urgent care.”
12. make phenol-formaldehyde resin
“Manufacturers make phenol-formaldehyde resin for circuit boards.”
Usage
Uncountable for the pure substance; countable as 'phenols' for members of the wider chemical class.
Etymology
From French phène, from Ancient Greek φαίνω (phaínō, “to clear”), as it was used for illumination, name given by Auguste Laurente in 1836. By surface analysis, pheno- + -ol.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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