noun
hydrocarbon
hy-druh-KAR-bun
Hydrocarbon (noun) means a chemical compound made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Example: “Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon.”
noun
1
A chemical compound made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
"Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon."
"Petrol is a mixture of many different hydrocarbons."
"The chemist drew the structure of a hydrocarbon on the board."
How to use hydrocarbon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA compound made of nothing but carbon and hydrogen.
When to use it
It is a technical term from organic chemistry, though it is common in general writing about fuels.
Memory tip
Remember the two parts: hydro- for hydrogen and carbon, and no other elements.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
saturated hydrocarbon
aromatic hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon chain
liquid hydrocarbon
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Methane is the simplest _____.
Etymology
The word is formed from the prefix hydro- and the word carbon, which fits a compound built from hydrogen and carbon.
Rhymes for hydrocarbon
See all rhymes for hydrocarbon →Frequently asked questions
What is a hydrocarbon?
A hydrocarbon is a compound that contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
What are examples of hydrocarbons?
Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and arenes are all kinds of hydrocarbon.
Is a hydrocarbon an organic compound?
Yes, the word is used in organic chemistry for compounds of carbon and hydrogen only.
What is the meaning of hydrocarbon?
"hydrocarbon" (noun) means a chemical compound made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
