chemical
KEHM-ih-kuhl
Chemical (adj) means relating to chemistry or to substances and their reactions. Example: “The factory had to follow strict chemical safety rules.”
adj
1
Relating to chemistry or to substances and their reactions.
"the chemical properties of iron"
"Pentalene has chemical formula C₈H₆"
"The factory had to follow strict chemical safety rules."
"Mixing the two liquids caused a violent chemical reaction."
"She works in the chemical industry, testing how new materials behave."
noun
1
A specific substance, especially one produced or used in chemistry or industry.
"The lab stores several hazardous chemicals in a locked cabinet."
"Many cleaning products contain a chemical that can irritate your skin."
"Farmers must handle each chemical carefully before spraying it on crops."
How to use chemical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to substances and chemistry, or, as a noun, a specific substance itself.
Common pairings
chemical reaction
chemical compound
household chemicals
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Word forms
- Plural
- chemicals
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The factory had to follow strict _____ safety rules.
Etymology
From New Latin chemicus plus the adjective suffix -al, tracing back through alchemy to Arabic al-kīmiyāʔ.
Synonyms
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chemic
chemical substance
Related words
Rhymes for chemical
See all rhymes for chemical →Frequently asked questions
What does “chemical” mean?
The word “chemical” means relating to chemistry or to substances and their reactions. In plain terms, relating to substances and chemistry, or, as a noun, a specific substance itself.
How do you pronounce “chemical”?
“Chemical” is pronounced KEHM-ih-kuhl (/ˈkɛm.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “chemical” in a sentence?
Here is “chemical” used in a sentence: “The factory had to follow strict chemical safety rules.”
What part of speech is “chemical”?
Depending on how it is used, “chemical” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “chemical” come from?
The word “chemical” comes from New Latin. From New Latin chemicus plus the adjective suffix -al, tracing back through alchemy to Arabic al-kīmiyāʔ.
Is “chemical” a common word?
“Chemical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “chemical” have?
“Chemical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to chemistry or to substances and their reactions.
What is the difference between a chemical and a physical change?
A chemical change creates a new substance through a reaction, like wood burning or iron rusting, and is usually hard to reverse. A physical change alters only form or state — melting ice or tearing paper — while the substance itself stays the same underneath.
What is an example of something chemical?
A chemical reaction such as baking soda fizzing with vinegar is a classic example. Chemical processes include digestion, photosynthesis, and combustion. The word describes anything relating to substances and how they combine, break apart, or transform — the core subject matter of chemistry.
What is the difference between chemical and natural?
In everyday speech people contrast "chemical" with "natural," but the distinction is misleading: everything, natural or manufactured, is made of chemicals. Water and oxygen are chemicals too. Scientifically, "chemical" simply means relating to substances and their reactions, not something artificial or harmful.
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