# Chem

/ˈkɛm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chem
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the subject of chemistry

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short name for the subject of chemistry.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the subject.

### 2. a chemical substance

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short name for a chemical.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'chems'.

## Examples

- I have a chem test tomorrow morning.
- She decided to drop chem because the lab work felt too difficult for her schedule.
- The curriculum shifts from general chem to organic chem in the second year, requiring students to master complex molecular structures.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.