noun Uncommon

ethylene

ETH-uh-leen

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Ethylene (noun) means a colourless gas that is the simplest alkene, with the chemical formula C2H4, also known by its IUPAC name ethene. Example: “Ethylene is used to ripen fruit such as bananas after they are picked.”

noun

technical A colourless gas that is the simplest alkene, with the chemical formula C2H4, also known by its IUPAC name ethene.

"Ethylene is used to ripen fruit such as bananas after they are picked."

"The plant releases ethylene gas as it produces more flowers."

"Ethylene is produced in large quantities for the plastics industry."

technical The divalent chemical group derived from ethane, used in naming related compounds.

"Ethylene glycol takes its name from this chemical group."

"Chemists refer to the ethylene unit when describing certain molecular structures."

How to use ethylene

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA gas chemists and growers know for making plastics and for ripening fruit.

When to use it

It is a chemistry term, common in scientific and agricultural writing rather than everyday speech.

Memory tip

Note that ethylene and ethene name the same substance, so you may meet either in different texts.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

ethane → ethanol →

Common pairings

ethylene gas ethylene glycol release ethylene ripen with ethylene ethylene production

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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”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is used to ripen fruit such as bananas after they are picked.

Etymology

The name combines the element eth-, which points to the two-carbon ethane family of compounds, with the suffix -ylene used in naming this kind of chemical group.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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ethene

Rhymes for ethylene

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

See all rhymes for ethylene →

Frequently asked questions

What is ethylene used for?

It is a key industrial chemical used to make plastics, and it also occurs naturally as a gas that ripens fruit.

Is ethylene the same as ethene?

Yes, ethylene is the common name for the compound whose official IUPAC name is ethene.

Is ethylene a gas or a liquid?

At normal room temperature and pressure it is a colourless gas.

What is the meaning of ethylene?

"ethylene" (noun) means a colourless gas that is the simplest alkene, with the chemical formula C2H4, also known by its IUPAC name ethene.