Definitions
01a substance
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Science
n. a specific substance that is used in or made by a chemical process.
n. any specific chemical element, compound, or alloy with a distinct molecular composition.
日本語:化学物質※
“The factory was fined for leaking dangerous chemicals into the nearby river.”
“The laboratory technician carefully labelled each beaker to ensure that no reactive chemicals were stored in close proximity to one another.”
Usage
Often used in the plural when referring to industrial or laboratory substances.
02an artificial substance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a substance made by people rather than found in nature, often used in food or cleaning.
n. a synthetic or artificial compound, often contrasted with organic or natural materials in consumer contexts.
日本語:化学物質※
“I try to buy organic vegetables because they don't have as many chemicals.”
“Public concern regarding the presence of harsh chemicals in household detergents has led to a surge in demand for plant-based alternatives.”
Teaching tip
In everyday conversation, people often use 'chemicals' to mean 'harmful or artificial substances' even though everything is technically made of chemicals.
Antonyms
03related to chemistry
B1 · Intermediate Science Academic
adj. related to the science of chemistry or how substances react with each other.
adj. relating to the properties, composition, and reactions of substances.
“The students wore goggles during the chemical experiment to protect their eyes.”
“The researchers observed a significant chemical change when the two solutions were combined under high pressure.”
04synthetic or non-natural
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. made by a process in a factory rather than occurring naturally.
adj. produced by or involving synthetic processes; often used to distinguish manufactured items from natural ones.
“The farmer stopped using chemical fertilisers to improve the soil quality.”
“The report highlights the long-term environmental impact of intensive chemical farming on local biodiversity.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “chemical” in context.
Verb
01. absorb chemical
“Plants absorb chemicals from the soil through their roots.”
verb + noun
02. ban chemical
“Environmental groups are calling on the government to ban the chemical.”
verb + noun
03. chemical leaks
“Emergency services were called after a dangerous chemical leaked from a tanker.”
noun + verb
04. chemical reacts
“The chemical reacts violently when it comes into contact with water.”
noun + verb
05. release chemical
“The brain releases chemicals that make you feel happy when you exercise.”
verb + noun
06. store chemical
“All laboratory staff are trained on how to safely store chemicals.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. harmful chemical
“Many household cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can irritate the skin.”
adj + noun
08. hazardous chemical
“Workers must wear protective clothing when handling hazardous chemicals.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. mixture of chemicals
“The paint is a complex mixture of chemicals and pigments.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a cocktail of chemicals
“The river water contained a cocktail of chemicals from nearby industrial sites.”
11. break down chemicals
“The liver helps the body break down chemicals and toxins.”
12. exposed to dangerous chemicals
“The study looked at people who were exposed to dangerous chemicals at work.”
Etymology
From chemic (“alchemy”) + -al (“related to”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/chemical
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0