English Reference

Word

chem

Phoneticschem

/ˈkɛm/

Definitions

01the subject of chemistry

B2 · Science

n. a short name for the subject of chemistry.

n. a clipping of 'chemistry' used to refer to the academic discipline or a specific course of study.

“I have my chem lab on Tuesday afternoons this semester.”

“The university's chem department recently received a significant grant to upgrade its molecular imaging equipment.”

Informal

Usage

Usually uncountable when referring to the subject.

Synonyms

02a chemical substance

B2 · Science

n. a short name for a chemical.

n. a clipping of 'chemical' used to refer to a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.

“The pool needs more chems to keep the water clean.”

“The technician warned that mixing those specific chems without proper ventilation could result in toxic fumes.”

Informal

Usage

Often used in the plural form 'chems'.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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