chemical

From chemic (“alchemy”) +‎ -al (“related to”).

• enPR: kĕm'ĭk-əl, IPA^(key): /ˈkɛmɪkəl/

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• Rhymes: -ɛmɪkəl

chemical (not comparable)

1. Of or relating to chemistry.

   chemical experiments

   the chemical properties of iron

   Pentalene has chemical formula C₈H₆

2. Of or relating to a material or processes not commonly found in nature or in a particular product.
3. (obsolete) Of or relating to alchemy.

•   Chemistry on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

chemical (plural chemicals)

1. (chemistry, sciences) Any specific chemical element or chemical compound or alloy.

   Hydrogen and sulphur are both chemicals.

2. (colloquial) An artificial chemical compound.

   I color my hair with henna, not chemicals.

3. (slang) An addictive drug.

• The noun is frequently used in a slang and more specific non-technical way (2nd and 3rd definition) by the general public. Chemists and those who understand chemistry may gravitate toward the first, but the term "substance" is preferred usage.

• alchemical
• chemist
• chemistry

• molecule
• reagent

• Michalec, alchemic