What term describes a compound that contains a hydroxyl group (-OH)?

A compound that contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) is specifically characterized as an alcohol. The presence of the hydroxyl group is a defining feature of alcohols, which can be further categorized based on the number of hydroxyl groups attached and the carbon skeleton they belong to. Alcohols typically have the general formula R-OH, where R represents a hydrocarbon chain.

In contrast, a carboxylic acid, which contains a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (OH) in the same functional group (-COOH), cannot be classified solely by the presence of a hydroxyl group. Amines are characterized by the presence of nitrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms, and aldehydes feature a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydrogen atom, which also doesn't align with the characteristics of alcohols. Hence, the specific naming of a compound based on the -OH group leads to the conclusion that it is an alcohol.