chemical

KEM-i-kuhl/ˈkɛm.ɪ.kəl/

Noun pluralchemicals

6 meanings of chemical

1
adjective
Having to do with chemistry, or with the way substances change and react.
The chemical industry makes products like soap and paint.
When paper burns, a chemical change turns it into ash and smoke.
UsageUsually before a noun: a chemical change, chemical waste.
Note
2
nouncountable
Any one kind of substance, such as an element, a compound, or a mix of metals.
Water is a chemical made of hydrogen and oxygen.
Some chemicals can burn your skin if you touch them.
Similarsubstance
Note
3
nouncolloquialcountable
A man-made substance viewed as unnatural, especially one added to food, water, or the body.
Like something made in a factory instead of grown on a farm.
She wanted a natural dye for her hair, not a chemical.
She tries to buy food without any added chemicals.
UsageOften chemicals, the opposite of natural: no added chemicals.
4
artificialadjective
Describing materials or steps not normally found in nature or in a product.
The juice has no chemical additives.
We never use chemical sprays in our garden, only natural ones.
UsageOften the opposite of natural: chemical sprays.
Similarartificial, synthetic
Oppositenatural, organic
Note

Less common meanings

5
addictive drugnounslangcountable
A drug that someone can become addicted to.
For years his chemical of choice was alcohol, and he could not stop drinking.
She finally gave up the chemicals that had ruined her life.
Similardrug
Note
6
adjectiveobsolete
Having to do with alchemy, the old search to turn metals into gold.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of chemical apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From New Latin "chemicus" (meaning chemical) plus "-al" (meaning related to).

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Chemic is an adjective meaning pertaining to chemistry or, earlier, alchemy; it does not name alchemy itself. en.wiktionary.org
The suffix -al means related to. en.wiktionary.org