I. chem ‧ i ‧ cal 1 S3 W3 AC /ˈkemɪk ə l/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ chemical , ↑ chemist , ↑ chemistry ; adverb : ↑ chemically ; adjective : ↑ chemical ]
a substance used in chemistry or produced by a chemical process
toxic/hazardous/dangerous chemicals
the organic chemicals industry
synthetic chemicals
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ dangerous/harmful
Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful.
▪ hazardous (=very dangerous)
There are major problems over the disposal of hazardous chemicals.
▪ toxic/poisonous (=containing poison)
The chemicals that were released were highly toxic.
▪ synthetic chemicals (=made by mixing artificial substances)
A synthetic chemical is, in theory, identical to that found in nature.
▪ organic chemicals (=containing natural substances including carbon)
Oil and coal are known as organic chemicals.
▪ industrial/agricultural chemicals (=used in industry/in farming)
Some deaths from cancer are related to industrial chemicals.
■ verbs
▪ use chemicals
Farmers use chemicals to kill insects that would destroy their crops.
▪ produce chemicals
the dangerous chemicals produced by burning oil
▪ be exposed to chemicals
Some of the troops were exposed to chemicals.
■ chemical + NOUN
▪ the chemical industry
The chemical industry is one of the most important industrial sectors.
▪ a chemical plant (=factory producing chemicals)
There has been an explosion at a chemical plant in Germany.
▪ a chemical fertilizer (=chemicals to help plants grow)
Many crops are grown with chemical fertilizers.
▪ chemical waste
the risks from pollution and chemical waste
▪ chemical weapons (=poisonous chemicals used as weapons)
a global treaty banning chemical weapons
▪ chemical warfare (=the use of chemical weapons in wars)
There is now also the threat of chemical warfare.
II. chemical 2 W3 AC BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ chemical , ↑ chemist , ↑ chemistry ; adverb : ↑ chemically ; adjective : ↑ chemical ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Modern Latin ; Origin: chimicus 'alchemist' , from Medieval Latin alchimicus , from alchymia ; ⇨ ↑ alchemy ]
relating to substances, the study of substances, or processes involving changes in substances:
the chemical composition of bleach
a chemical analysis of the soil
—chemically /-kli/ adverb :
Chemically, the substances are similar.