chemical
- 01 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“The factory was fined for leaking dangerous chemicals into the nearby river.”
In context“The laboratory technician carefully labelled each beaker to ensure that no reactive chemicals were stored in close proximity to one another.”
UsageOften used in the plural when referring to industrial or laboratory substances.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“I try to buy organic vegetables because they don't have as many chemicals.”
In context“Public concern regarding the presence of harsh chemicals in household detergents has led to a surge in demand for plant-based alternatives.”
Teacher's tipIn everyday conversation, people often use 'chemicals' to mean 'harmful or artificial substances' even though everything is technically made of chemicals.
- 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.related to the science of chemistry or how substances react with each other.
adj.relating to the properties, composition, and reactions of substances.
Simple“The students wore goggles during the chemical experiment to protect their eyes.”
In context“The researchers observed a significant chemical change when the two solutions were combined under high pressure.”
- 04 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.
Simple“The farmer stopped using chemical fertilisers to improve the soil quality.”
In context“The report highlights the long-term environmental impact of intensive chemical farming on local biodiversity.”
Synonyms
Usage chemical reactions · chemical composition · chemical makeup
From chemic (“alchemy”) + -al (“related to”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.