chemical

[ kem-i-kuhl ]

noun

1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
2. chemicals, Slang. narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.

adjective

1. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals:

   a chemical formula; chemical agents.

2. used in chemical warfare:

   chemical weapons.

chemical

/ ˈkɛmɪkəl /

noun

1. any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use

adjective

1. of or used in chemistry

   chemical balance

2. of, made from, or using chemicals

   chemical fertilizer

chemical

/ kĕm′ĭ-kəl /

Adjective

1. Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.

Noun

1. A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.

Derived Forms

• ˈchemically, adverb

Other Words From

• chemi·cal·ly adverb
• non·chemi·cal adjective noun
• pre·chemi·cal adjective
• pseudo·chemi·cal adjective
• semi·chemi·cal adjective
• semi·chemi·cal·ly adverb
• super·chemi·cal adjective noun
• super·chemi·cal·ly adverb
• un·chemi·cal adjective
• un·chemi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemical¹

1570–80; chemic + -al ¹; replacing chimical chemic

Example Sentences

Protein design aims to create customized antibodies for therapies, biosensors for diagnostics, or enzymes for chemical reactions.

From Science Daily

It is colourless and has a similar smell to ethyl alcohol - the chemical substance found in alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

In a new study published in Nature Chemical Engineering, the team demonstrated a way to upgrade 6PPD -- a molecule that provides UV protection to help the rubber found in tires last longer -- into safe chemicals.

From Science Daily

Methanol, a toxic chemical used in household and industrial products like antifreeze, is sometimes added to drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, the alcohol used in alcoholic beverages.

From New York Times

This is then "washed" by his group at a makeshift plant to separate the gold using dangerous chemicals like mercury and sodium cyanide.

From BBC

Related Words

• synthetic