Menthol is a substance that smells a bit like peppermint and is used to flavour things such as cigarettes and toothpaste. It is also used in some medicines, especially for curing colds.
menthol in British English
(ˈmɛnθɒl)
noun
an optically active organic compound found in peppermint oil and used as an antiseptic, in inhalants, and as an analgesic. Formula: C10H20O
Word origin
C19: from German, from Latin menthamint1
menthol in American English
(ˈmɛnˌθɔl; ˈmɛnθəl)
noun
a white, pungent, waxy, crystalline alcohol, C10H19OH, obtained from oil of peppermint and used in medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, etc.
Word origin
Ger < L mentha, mint2 + -ol, -ol1
Examples of 'menthol' in a sentence
menthol
`You're looking seedier than usual, Bruce,' he said, lighting up some dreadful brand of menthol cigarette he liked to smoke.
Robert Wilson BLOOD IS DIRT (2002)
I was amused to see they were low tar, low nicotine, menthol.
Pickard, Nancy NO BODY (2002)
She paused to light another cigarette from a second pack in her pocket, not a cigarillo this time but menthol.
Dobbs, Michael THE TOUCH OF INNOCENTS (2002)
Zelda had once entered and left rooms in drifting clouds and the mousy menthol vapor was part of the whole of Albertine's love.