Chemical

Pronunciation

• enPR: kÄ•m'Ä­k-É™l, IPA: /ˈkÉ›mɪkÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -É›mɪkÉ™l

Origin

chemic("alchemy") + -al("related to")

Full definition of chemical

Adjective

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

Noun

1. (chemistry, sciences) Any specific chemical element or chemical compound.
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

Related terms

• alchemical
• chemist
• chemistry

Anagrams

• alchemic