Acetylic is an adjective that describes the properties of organic molecules containing the acetyl group (CH3CO-). Synonyms for acetylic can include acetic, acetyl, or acetate-related. These terms describe the same molecular structure and can be used interchangeably to describe the chemical characteristics of a molecule. Other synonyms may include ethanoyl, ethanoyloxy, or acetyloxy, all of which refer to a molecule containing the acetyl group. With these related words, chemists can easily communicate about the properties of a molecule, including its bonding, structure, and reactivity, without confusion or misunderstanding.