Definition

A clear, colorless liquid with a lemon-like smell, used in perfumes and as a flavoring agent. It can be obtained from citronella oil or made in a lab.

Example

Citronellal is often used in candles to repel insects due to its strong scent.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of citronellal?

Yeah, I think it's that lemon-scented compound used in perfumes.

Exactly! It's also used as an insect repellent, right?

Right, I love how natural it smells compared to synthetic options.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Citronellal is derived from 'citronella' (from French 'citronnelle', meaning lemon balm or lemon-scented plant) and the suffix '-al' (meaning pertaining to). The word refers to a compound related to the citronella plant, often used for its lemon-like scent.

Memory Tip

Think of 'citronella' as the source of the lemon scent, and remember that 'citronellal' means something that is related to or has the qualities of citronella.

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