# methane

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmiːθeɪn/ · frequency rank #14,166

## Definitions
1. The simplest aliphatic hydrocarbon, CH₄, being a constituent of natural gas, and one of the most abundant greenhouse gases.
2. Any of very many derivatives of methane.

## Etymology
From methyl + -ane.

## Easily confused with
- **methanol** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/methane-vs-methanol)
- **Meghan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/meghan-vs-methane)
- **Meehan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/meehan-vs-methane)
- **methadone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/methadone-vs-methane)

## Common misspellings (10)
`emthane`, `mehtane`, `metahne`, `methaen`, `methanne`, `methhane`, `methnae`, `metthane`, `mmethane`, `mtehane`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/methane