Wiktionary

chemical

English

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Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Adjective

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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

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Further reading

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Noun

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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

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  • 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

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

Derived terms

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terms derived from chemical (adjective and noun)
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See also

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Anagrams

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