oil of wintergreen

noun phrase

: the methyl ester of salicylic acid that is used as a flavoring and as a counterirritant

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oil of wintergreen was circa 1850

Rhymes for oil of wintergreen

See All Rhymes for oil of wintergreen

Browse Nearby Words

oil of wintergreen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oil of wintergreen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil%20of%20wintergreen. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

oil of wintergreen

: a chemical compound made from salicylic acid and used in liniments and as a flavoring

Medical Definition

oil of wintergreen

noun
: a preparation of methyl salicylate obtained by distilling the leaves of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

called also gaultheria oil, wintergreen oil

compare birch oil

More from Merriam-Webster on oil of wintergreen

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oil of wintergreen

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
clapperboard-popcorn
Hollywood Lingo Quiz Are you a showbiz whiz?
See All