# chemical

/ˈkɛməkəɫ/ (US) · /kˈɛmɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chemical
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a substance

noun · CEFR B1

a specific substance that is used in or made by a chemical process.

For teachers: any specific chemical element, compound, or alloy with a distinct molecular composition.

- 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.

### 2. an artificial substance

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a substance made by people rather than found in nature, often used in food or cleaning.

For teachers: a synthetic or artificial compound, often contrasted with organic or natural materials in consumer contexts.

- 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.

### 3. related to chemistry

adjective · CEFR B1 · Academic

related to the science of chemistry or how substances react with each other.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. synthetic or non-natural

adjective · CEFR B2

made by a process in a factory rather than occurring naturally.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The factory must safely dispose of every chemical.
- Farmers are looking for ways to grow crops without using any harmful chemicals to kill insects.
- The laboratory technician carefully labeled each container to ensure that no reactive chemical was stored near a heat source or an incompatible substance.

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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.