chemical

English

Etymology

chemic (“alchemy”) +‎ -al (“related to”)

Pronunciation
  • enPR: kĕm'ĭk-əl, IPA(key): /ˈkɛmɪkəl/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛmɪkəl

Adjective

chemical (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to chemistry.
  2. Of or relating to a material or processes not commonly found in nature or in a particular product.
  3. (obsolete) Of or relating to alchemy.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

Noun

chemical (plural chemicals)

  1. (chemistry, sciences) Any specific chemical element or chemical compound or alloy.
  2. (colloquial) An artificial chemical compound.
    I color my hair with henna, not chemicals.
  3. (slang) An addictive drug.

Usage notes
  • The noun is frequently used in a slang and more specific non-technical way (2nd and 3rd definition) by the general public. Chemists and those who understand chemistry may gravitate toward the first, but the term "substance" is preferred usage.

Derived terms
terms derived from chemical

Translations
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Translations to be checked

See also

Anagrams
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