adjective
carboxylic
kar-bok-SIL-ik
Carboxylic (adjective) means relating to the carboxyl group in organic chemistry. Example: “The molecule has a carboxylic group at one end.”
adjective
1
technical Relating to the carboxyl group in organic chemistry.
"The molecule has a carboxylic group at one end."
"Vinegar contains a carboxylic acid called acetic acid."
"Chemists classify the compound by its carboxylic functional group."
How to use carboxylic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chemistry word for anything built around the carboxyl group.
When to use it
This is a technical chemistry term, not used in everyday speech.
Memory tip
Watch the spelling next to carbolic, which is a completely different chemical term.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
carbolic
Common pairings
carboxylic acid
carboxylic group
carboxylic acid group
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The molecule has a _____ group at one end.
Etymology
The word is built within English from carboxyl, the chemical group it describes, plus the adjective-forming ending -ic.
Synonyms
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carboxyl
Rhymes for carboxylic
See all rhymes for carboxylic →Frequently asked questions
What does carboxylic mean?
It describes something related to the carboxyl group, a functional group found in organic chemistry.
What is a carboxylic acid?
It is an organic acid that contains a carboxyl group, such as the acetic acid found in vinegar.
Is carboxylic a noun or an adjective?
It is an adjective, always used to describe another word such as acid or group.
What is the meaning of carboxylic?
"carboxylic" (adjective) means relating to the carboxyl group in organic chemistry.
