Formaldehyde is a toxicpoisonous and harmful to living things, colorlesshaving no visible color gas used in industry and laboratoriesrooms or buildings where scientific tests and experiments are done. It is also known by the chemical name methanal. People often search for formaldehyde meaning, formaldehyde definition, and formaldehyde synonyms when they want a simple explanation of the term.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /fɔˈrmældəˌhaɪd/
Easy pronunciation: for-MAL-də-hide (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on MAL, with secondary stress on HIDE.
Chemical noun: the toxic, colorless gas used in making chemicals and preserving materials.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Formaldehyde Meaning
a toxic, colorless gas used in making chemicals and preserving materials
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a colorless poisonous gas made by the oxidation of methanol
Example: The lab stored the sample in a container that released formaldehyde gas.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- methanal — The chemical name for formaldehyde; a direct synonym in scientific use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Formaldehyde Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- methanal
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Not every chemical with a similar smell or use is formaldehyde.
- Formaldehyde is not the same as formalin, which is a solution containing formaldehyde.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does formaldehyde mean?
Formaldehyde is a poisonous, colorless gas used in industrial chemistry and lab work. Its chemical name is methanal.
What are formaldehyde synonyms?
The main synonym is methanal, which is the chemical name for the same substance.
Is formaldehyde a gas or a liquid?
Formaldehyde is a gas, though it is often handled in water solution in practical use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
