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chemical Meaning & Definition

ˈke-mi-kəl

What Does Chemical Mean?

Chemical is used as an adjective meaning of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry or the phenomena of chemistry. It is also used to mean acting or operated or produced by chemicals. As a noun, it means a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect.

Chemical: Key Facts

Part of speechadjective, noun
Pronunciation/ˈke-mi-kəl/
Syllables3
Synonymschemic
Pluralchemicals
Adverbchemically

Chemical Definition (Adjective)

  1. of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry or the phenomena of chemistry

    chemical reactions

  2. acting or operated or produced by chemicals

    a chemical fire extinguisher

  3. detectable by chemical means

Chemical as a Noun

  1. a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect
  2. drug

Synonyms of Chemical

Chemical synonyms and antonyms →

Chemical in a Sentence

chemical experiments

the chemical properties of iron

Pentalene has chemical formula C8H6

Hydrogen and sulphur are both chemicals.

I color my hair with henna, not chemicals.

chemical reactions

a chemical fire extinguisher

Word Forms & Grammar

chem·i·cal·ly adverb

chemical

chemically

chemicals

chemical (not comparable)

chemical (plural chemicals)

Words That Rhyme With Chemical

Origin of Chemical

Origin 1: chemic or its source, Medieval Latin chimicus + -al:1

Origin 2: derivative of chemical:1

Origin 3: From New Latin chēmicus +‎ -al.[1]

First Known Use

1576

1739

How Do You Say Chemical?

The standard pronunciation of chemical is /ˈke-mi-kəl/, spoken in 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (ke).

Chemical: Your Questions Answered

Is chemical an adjective or a noun?

Chemical is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for chemical?

You can replace chemical with words such as chemic. See the full list of chemical synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of chemical?

The plural of chemical is chemicals.

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