What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glycerine
Example
The lotion contains glycerine to keep your skin hydrated. [glycerine: noun]
Example
The cake recipe calls for glycerine as a natural sweetener. [glycerine: noun]
glycerol
Example
The soap is made with glycerol to keep your hands soft. [glycerol: noun]
Example
The doctor prescribed glycerol to help with my constipation. [glycerol: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Glycerine is more commonly used in everyday language than glycerol. However, both terms are widely used in their respective industries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glycerine and glycerol?
Both glycerine and glycerol are formal terms used in scientific and technical contexts. However, glycerine is also used in everyday language and is more versatile in terms of formality level.