Phenyl vs phenol functional group? Phenyl is a functional group with an aromatic ring bonded to another group. And, phenol is a molecule that is just a phenyl bonded to a hydroxyl group.

However, some sources consider phenol itself a functional group. Are they both functional groups, or is phenol just a molecule?
Phenol is both a molecule and a functional group (or at least a class of molecules). IUPAC has the definitive answer on the matter:

Phenols:


  Compounds having one or more hydroxy groups attached to a benzene or other arene ring, e.g. 2-naphthol