methylamine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “methylamine” mean?
A flammable, colourless gas with a fishy odour, which is the simplest primary aliphatic amine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flammable, colourless gas with a fishy odour, which is the simplest primary aliphatic amine.
In technical contexts, a chemical compound (CH₃NH₂) used as a building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and other industrial chemicals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is consistent. Pronunciation differences are minor.
Connotations
Identical technical/scientific connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language, but standard in chemistry contexts in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “methylamine” in a Sentence
methylamine is used to [VERB] (e.g., produce, synthesise, manufacture)the reaction of X with methylamine yields YVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in chemical industry reports.
Academic
Common in chemistry, pharmacology, and materials science literature.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in organic chemistry and chemical engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “methylamine”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “methylamine”
- Misspelling as 'methylamin' (missing final 'e'), confusing with 'methylamide'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is flammable, toxic, and corrosive, requiring careful handling.
Primarily in industrial chemical plants, research laboratories, and in contexts discussing the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals or illicit substances.
It has a strong, pungent odour often described as similar to rotting fish.
Yes, in small amounts in some plants and as a degradation product in biological systems.
A flammable, colourless gas with a fishy odour, which is the simplest primary aliphatic amine.
Methylamine is usually technical/scientific in register.
Methylamine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛθɪləˈmiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛθələˈmin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
METHYL (as in the methane-derived group CH₃-) + AMINE (a nitrogen-containing compound). Think: the methyl version of ammonia.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often framed as a 'building block' or 'precursor' in chemical synthesis narratives.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'methylamine' most commonly used?