English edit

Etymology edit

chemic (alchemy) +‎ -al (related to)

Pronunciation edit

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

Adjective edit

chemical (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to chemistry.
    chemical experiments
    the chemical properties of iron
    Pentalene has chemical formula C8H6
  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.

Translations edit

Further reading edit

Noun edit

chemical (plural chemicals)

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

Usage notes edit

  • 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.

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Derived terms edit

terms derived from chemical (adjective and noun)

Related terms edit

See also edit

Anagrams edit