hydroxy-

1. a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the hydroxyl group is present.

   hydroxyketone.

hydroxy

¹

/ haɪˈdrɒksɪ /

adjective

1. (of a chemical compound) containing one or more hydroxyl groups

hydroxy-

²

combining form

1. (in chemical compounds) indicating the presence of one or more hydroxyl groups or ions

hydroxy

1. Containing the hydroxyl group (OH).

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydroxy¹

C19: _hydro- + _oxy ( _gen )

Origin of hydroxy²

from _hydro- + _oxy ( _gen )

Example Sentences

Avoid products containing potent alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and retinol, Galamgam said.

From Los Angeles Times

But many of its bestsellers, which cost about £60 each, contain exfoliators such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids and vitamin-A derivative retinol.

From BBC

Puthucheary and his colleagues are conducting a small study to test whether ketones — an alternative fuel source derived from the body's breakdown of fat — or an amino acid metabolite called hydroxy methylbutyrate might work better.

From Salon

What’s more, Dr. Gonzalez said, many consumers play “chemist” with these formats, mixing them with other ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and retinol that can dilute the formula and, in some cases, render it unstable.

From New York Times

“This means chemical exfoliants like hydroxy acids and physical exfoliation with any brushes, towels, pads.”

From Washington Post

When To Use

What does hydroxy- mean?

Hydroxy- is a combining form used like a prefix denoting chemical compounds in which the hydroxyl group is present. The hydroxyl group is a group of univalent compounds that contain oxygen and hydrogen, as indicated with the symbols -OH. It is used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.Hydroxy- comes from the combination of two forms. The first form is hydr-, meaning “hydrogen.” The second is oxy-, meaning "oxygen."What are variants of hydroxy-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hydroxy- becomes hydrox-, as in hydroxide.