Their hydrocarbon radicals make them good solvents for organic compounds, and their polar -OH groups tend to make them miscible with water (right).

Hence they can bring into aqeuous solution organic molecules that will not dissolve in pure water by themselves.

They are used extensively as solvents and cleaners, because greases and oils are dissolved by the hydrocarbon radicals, and the alcohol and grease solution can then be washed away with water.