Alcohollike

Alcohollike is an informal adjective used to describe substances, sensory attributes, or chemical behaviors that resemble alcohols, particularly ethanol, in one or more respects. The term is not a formal chemical classification but appears across disciplines to convey similarity without implying identity.

Origin and usage: The word is formed from alcohol plus the suffix -like, indicating likeness rather than a defined category. In technical writing, "alcohollike" may describe a solvent’s behavior, a molecule’s polar character, or a taste and aroma note that evokes alcohol without being ethanol.

Contexts: In chemistry and biochemistry, "alcohollike" can refer to molecules that exhibit hydrogen-bond donating ability, protic solvent behavior, or similar solvation properties to alcohols, even if they lack a hydroxyl group. In flavor and fragrance science, the term describes odors or flavors that remind researchers of ethanol or fusel alcohols, helping to categorize sensory profiles without naming a specific alcohol.

Limitations: Because the term is informal, its meaning can vary by discipline and author. Clear communication often requires specifying which property is meant (solvent polarity, vapor smell, or taste) and whether the reference is to ethanol or to a broader class of alcohols.

See also: Alcohol, Ethanol, Protic solvent, Sensory analysis.