An object of the present invention is to provide a novel phenolic compound, and a recording material containing the same, which is excellent in storage stability. The object can be achieved by a phenolic compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR00001## [wherein m represents an integer of 0 to 2; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a C1 C6 alkyl group or a C1 C6 alkoxy group; p and q each independently represents an integer of 0 to 4; t and u each independently represents 0 or 1 and do not simultaneously represent 0; and X represents a group represented by any of the formulas (II) to (VII): ##STR00002## (wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1 C6 alkyl group; a represents an integer of 1 to 6; b represents an integer of 0 to 4; and c represents an integer of 0 to 6)] and a recording material containing the same.