phe·no·lic I. \fēˈnōlik, fə̇ˈn-, -näl-, -lēk\adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary phenol + -ic 1. a.: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of phenol or a phenol b.: containing or derived from phenol or a phenol 2.: of, relating to, or containing phenolic resin II. noun (-s) 1.: phenolic resin 2.: phenolic plastic