butanoic acid

noun

The chemical compound with the formula CH₃(CH₂)₂COOH, a short chain fatty acid; its glyceride is one of the principle components of the flavor of butter.

Similar
butyric acid
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Meanings

nounbutanoic acid (uncountable)
  1. uncountablechemistryThe chemical compound with the formula CH₃(CH₂)₂COOH, a short chain fatty acid; its glyceride is one of the principle components of the flavor of butter.

    Synonyms: butyric acid

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe chemical compound with the formula CH₃(CH₂)₂COOH, a short chain fatty acid; its glyceride is one of the principle components of the flavor of butter.

Similar
butyric acid

More synonyms by meaning

nounan unpleasant smelling fatty acid found especially in butter

Similar
butyric acid
Broader
saturated fatty acid
Also see
butyric acid

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

butane + -oic acid

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

butanoic acid. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/butanoic%20acid

MLA

“butanoic acid.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/butanoic%20acid. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “butanoic acid,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/butanoic%20acid.

Source: butanoic acid on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.