[ alcohol ]
Alcohols are any of a group of volatile, flammable, colourless organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl (OH) group bound to a carbon atom. They are the natural product of the fermentation of sugars and include methanol and ethanol.
Alcohols have industrial applications as disinfectants, solvents and fuel. They have varying degrees of toxicity when ingested and may be irritating to the skin.
Alcohol (singular) usually refers to ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages.