Definition

A sweet, white substance that looks like sugar and is used as a sugar substitute, especially in products for dental health.

Example

Many sugar-free gums contain xylitol to help prevent cavities.

Conversation

Have you ever tried using xylitol as a sugar substitute?

Yeah, I’ve heard it’s great for dental health, right?

Exactly! It’s supposed to help reduce cavities too.

I should definitely look for products that contain xylitol.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Xylitol is formed from "xylo-" (from Greek "xylon", meaning wood) and "-itol" (a suffix used in chemistry to denote sugar alcohols). The word refers to a sugar alcohol derived from wood, specifically used as a sweetener.

Memory Tip

Think of 'wood' ('xylo-') when remembering that 'xylitol' is a sweetener derived from wood.

Visually Confused Words