noun Uncommon

benzene

BEHN-zeen

Quiz me More like this

Benzene (noun) means a colorless, flammable liquid hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6, made of a ring of six carbon atoms, widely used in industry as a solvent and raw material. Example: “Benzene is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products.”

noun

A colorless, flammable liquid hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6, made of a ring of six carbon atoms, widely used in industry as a solvent and raw material.

"Benzene is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products."

"The chemist drew the familiar hexagonal ring structure of benzene on the board."

How to use benzene

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA common industrial chemical made of a ring-shaped molecule, notable for being both useful and toxic.

Common mistake

Not the same word as "Benz" (the car surname) — the resemblance is coincidental.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like benzene.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: benzenes

Test yourself on “benzene” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products.

Etymology

Coined in German from Benzin, itself based on Benzoesäure ("benzoic acid"), with the chemical suffix -ene added when the compound was renamed in English in 1872.

Origin: German · First attested 1872

Class of 1872 benzene joined the language around 1872.

Jabberwocky vaseline

See the full Class of 1872 →

Synonyms

View more →

benzol benzine

Related words

benzine benzol

Rhymes for benzene

gene bene nene lene Rene scene Irene Keene Beene Ilene serene Selene

See all rhymes for benzene →

Frequently asked questions

What does “benzene” mean?

The word “benzene” means a colorless, flammable liquid hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6, made of a ring of six carbon atoms, widely used in industry as a solvent and raw material. In plain terms, a common industrial chemical made of a ring-shaped molecule, notable for being both useful and toxic.

How do you pronounce “benzene”?

“Benzene” is pronounced BEHN-zeen (/ˈbɛnziːn/ in IPA).

How do you use “benzene” in a sentence?

Here is “benzene” used in a sentence: “Benzene is a known carcinogen and is tightly regulated in consumer products.”

What part of speech is “benzene”?

“Benzene” is a noun.

Where does the word “benzene” come from?

The word “benzene” dates back to around 1872 and comes from German. Coined in German from Benzin, itself based on Benzoesäure ("benzoic acid"), with the chemical suffix -ene added when the compound was renamed in English in 1872.

Is “benzene” a common word?

“Benzene” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include benzene:

Words with German origins

People also searched

benzine benzol