Acetyl is a prefix that is widely used in organic chemistry and biochemistry to describe various chemical compounds that contain the acetyl functional group. The acetyl group is a carbonyl group (-CO-) that is bonded to a methyl group (-CH3) and is commonly abbreviated as Ac. There are various synonyms for the word acetyl, including ethanoyl, acyl, acetic anhydride, acetic acid, and acetate. Each of these synonyms represents a distinct type of acetyl compound that is used in different chemical reactions, biochemical processes, and industrial applications. Synonyms for acetyl are important to know for scientists working in chemical synthesis, drug development, and other related fields.