chemistry

[ kem-uh-stree ]

noun

plural chemistries.

1. the science that deals with the composition and properties of substances and various elementary forms of matter. Compare element ( def 2 ).
2. chemical properties, reactions, phenomena, etc.:

   the chemistry of carbon.

3. the interaction of one personality with another:

   The chemistry between him and his boss was all wrong.

4. sympathetic understanding; rapport:

   the astonishing chemistry between the actors.

5. any or all of the elements that make up something:

   the chemistry of love.

chemistry

/ ˈkɛmɪstrɪ /

noun

1. the branch of physical science concerned with the composition, properties, and reactions of substances See also inorganic chemistry organic chemistry physical chemistry
2. the composition, properties, and reactions of a particular substance
3. the nature and effects of any complex phenomenon

   the chemistry of humour

4. informal.
   a reaction, taken to be instinctual, between two persons

chemistry

/ kĕm′ĭ-strē /

1. The scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of the chemical elements and the compounds they form.
2. The composition, structure, properties, and reactions of a substance.

chemistry

1. The study of the composition, properties, and reactions of matter , particularly at the level of atoms and molecules .

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemistry¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; chemist + -ry; replacing earlier chymistry, chimistry

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemistry¹

C17: from earlier chimistrie, from chimist chemist

Example Sentences

Despite announcing a "common view" of wanting to end the war, their body language suggested a lack of chemistry.

From BBC

Marisol Garcia, the president of the Arizona Education Association, the state’s labor union for public school teachers, told Salon in an interview that the state had become known as the “chemistry lab of terrible ideas.”

From Salon

"There's a lack of policy regarding the environmental impacts of these megaconstellations," Dr. Connor Barker, a research fellow in atmospheric chemistry and physical geography at University College London, told Salon in a video interview.

From Salon

The chemistry was already handled; all I had to do was play around with flavor and texture.

From Salon

There was just a natural chemistry with all of us.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appeal
• beauty
• charisma
• glamour
• grace
• magic