chemistry
Pluralchemistries (some meanings)
- 1The branch of natural science concerned with the composition of substances and the changes they undergo when their molecules are altered.
Modern chemistry explains how new materials are built from simple elements.
She switched from biology to chemistry in her second year of college.
UsageSay study chemistry; for one course, say a chemistry class or course.
- 2A feeling of mutual attraction and easy rapport between two people.
The new co-hosts showed an easy chemistry that made the whole show feel relaxed.
Despite a pleasant first date, they simply felt no chemistry.
UsageSay chemistry between two people; also team chemistry, on-screen chemistry.
Similarrapport, connection, spark, attraction
Note
A metaphor that has outgrown romance. Besides the spark between two people, it names how well a group works together. Actors have on-screen chemistry, and a coach can blame poor team chemistry. Basketball writing even speaks of two players building pick-and-roll chemistry.
- 3The chemical makeup, properties, and reactions of a particular substance, organism, or system, as in 'the chemistry of carbon' or 'the chemistry of the deep ocean'.
Scientists study the chemistry of the deep ocean to understand its ecosystems.
Chronic stress can alter the brain's chemistry over time.
UsageUsually the chemistry of something: the chemistry of carbon, brain chemistry.
Similarcomposition, makeup, constitution
Note
The thing described may be one substance or a whole setting: a living body, an organ, a lake or the inside of a tumor. In that last case it gathers up conditions such as the level of oxygen, which help decide what can thrive there. For a single substance the frame is the same, as in the chemistry of carbon.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Oxygen levels inside a tumor help determine which cells can thrive there. nibib.nih.gov
- 4A blood test measuring the amounts of various serum components, such as electrolytes, creatinine, and glucose.
The diagnosis was confirmed by repeat chemistries taken over two days.
His chemistry showed elevated creatinine, prompting a kidney referral.
Note
Clinical shorthand that names a test after the science behind it. It usually appears in the plural, because one sample yields many separate values, as when a diagnosis is confirmed by chemistries. It belongs to ward talk and charting. Some careful writers object to it, so in formal medical writing it is safer to name the test or the values measured: electrolytes, creatinine, glucose.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- One blood sample can yield multiple separate chemical measurements. medlineplus.gov
- Blood chemistry tests can measure electrolytes, creatinine, and glucose. medlineplus.gov
Practice
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Origin
First recorded in 1605, formed from "chemist" plus the suffix "-ry". "Chemist" comes from Latin alchimista, from Arabic al-kīmiyāʔ, which combined the article al- with Ancient Greek khumeía ("art of alloying metals"), perhaps ultimately from khúma ("fluid") and khumós ("juice"), from khéō ("I pour").
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 8 facts
- Chemistry was first coined in 1605. en.wiktionary.org
- Chemistry was formed from chemist plus -ry. en.wiktionary.org
- Chemist derives through Latin alchimista from Arabic al-kīmiyāʔ. en.wiktionary.org
- The Arabic word combines the article al- with Greek khumeía. en.wiktionary.org
- Khumeía means the art of alloying metals. en.wiktionary.org
- Khúma means fluid. en.wiktionary.org
- Khumós means juice. en.wiktionary.org
- Khéō means I pour. en.wikipedia.org