Chemical
/ˈkɛmɪkəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsOf or relating to chemistry; pertaining to the properties or reactions of elements and compounds.
/ˈkɛmɪkəl/
Relating to chemistry or chemicals.
The experiment involved several chemical processes.
💡 Simply: Chemical means something related to chemistry – the study of substances and their reactions. Like, baking soda and vinegar are chemicals that make a fizzy reaction!
👶 For kids: It's stuff that scientists study in chemistry!
More Examples
Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals.
How It's Used
"A chemical reaction occurred."
"Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals."
A substance with a distinct molecular composition that can be isolated or synthesized.
/ˈkɛmɪkəl/
A substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
The air is polluted by harmful chemicals.
💡 Simply: A chemical is a substance, like salt or sugar. They make up everything around us!
👶 For kids: It's like stuff mixed together, like baking soda or salt!
More Examples
Many plants produce useful chemicals.
How It's Used
"The factory produces various chemicals."
"The drug contains several active chemicals."
From Middle French *chimique, from Late Latin *chimicus, from Arabic كيمياء (kīmiyā', "alchemy").
Initially used in the context of alchemy, the word gained wider scientific usage during the scientific revolution.
Memory tip
Think 'chem' for chemistry.
Word Origin
"alchemy"