Chemistry is the scientific study of the structure of substances and of the way that they react with other substances.
2. uncountable noun
The chemistry of an organism or a material is the chemical substances that make it up and the chemical reactions that go on inside it.
We have literally altered the chemistry of our planet's atmosphere. [+ of]
Stress has a profound effect on our body chemistry.
3. uncountable noun
If you say that there is chemistry between two people, you mean that it is obvious they are attracted to each other or like each other very much.
...the extraordinary chemistry between the two actors. [+ between]
Janis and I became friends but we were never close. The chemistry wasn't there.
chemistry in British English
(ˈkɛmɪstrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-tries
1.
the branch of physical science concerned with the composition, properties, and reactions of substances
See also inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry
2.
the composition, properties, and reactions of a particular substance
3.
the nature and effects of any complex phenomenon
the chemistry of humour
4. informal
a reaction, taken to be instinctual, between two persons
Word origin
C17: from earlier chimistrie, from chimistchemist
chemistry in American English
(ˈkɛmɪstri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈchemistries
1.
the science dealing with the composition and properties of substances, and with the reactions by whichsubstances are produced from or converted into other substances
2.
the application of this to a specified subject or field of activity
3.
the chemical properties, composition, reactions, and uses of a substance
4.
any process of synthesis or analysis similar to that used in chemistry
the chemistry of wit
5. Informal
a.
the makeup of a person, group, situation, etc.
b.
interaction between people, esp. with respect to emotional or intellectual qualities; rapport
c.
mutual sexual attraction
Word origin
chemist + -ry
Examples of 'chemistry' in a sentence
chemistry
That's not nearly as true in physics or chemistry.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Well, the chemistry could go horribly wrong.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I think the chemistry was obvious.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I spent five years studying part-time and now have a degree in natural sciences specialising in chemistry.
The Sun (2016)
How do we restore body chemistry to normal?
Holford, Patrick The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
But demand has been rising in the biological sciences and chemistry.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What do you think makes this chemistry so good?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is also zero chemistry between the two leads.
The Sun (2006)
It was a discovery that meant much of chemistry that had been mysterious at last made sense.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is some major chemistry going on here.
The Sun (2006)
Mars could very easily have evolved the complex chemistry that is necessary to be a habitable environment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The biggest jump is in applications to be chemistry and physics teachers.
The Sun (2012)
Body chemistry can also affect your mind.
The Sun (2013)
They could be real contenders if they can make the chemistry work.
The Sun (2011)
There have been few signs of personal chemistry between the two men.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But in that last slice of a steak lies much complex chemistry.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Our slightly different mix of body chemistry means we react differently to situations and have different waysof coping.
The Sun (2012)
There was obvious chemistry between us.
The Sun (2015)
They help clouds form; they change the chemistry of the atmosphere and the ocean.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In due course she also obtained a PhD in physical chemistry.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
When they teamed up, the chemistry was obvious.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is the combination of a lot of crafts and husbandry, chemistry and physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Without the complex social cues and chemistry of a physical encounter, we put an optimistic interpretation on the things other people say.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Success is about attention to detail, a winning mindset, and the complex chemistry of team members.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Chemistry does not mean he's looking for a relationship; chemistry means he wants admiration and attention.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The sciences of chemistry, or of natural history, were as innocent of mathematics as the science of landscape.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
In other languages
chemistry
British English: chemistry /ˈkɛmɪstrɪ/ NOUN
Chemistry is the scientific study of the characteristics and composition of substances.
American English: chemistry
Arabic: كِيمياء
Brazilian Portuguese: química
Chinese: 化学
Croatian: kemija
Czech: chemie
Danish: kemi
Dutch: scheikunde
European Spanish: química
Finnish: kemia
French: chimie
German: Chemie
Greek: χημεία
Italian: chimica
Japanese: 化学
Korean: 화학
Norwegian: kjemi
Polish: chemia
European Portuguese: química
Romanian: chimie
Russian: химия
Latin American Spanish: química ciencia
Swedish: kemi
Thai: วิชาเคมี
Turkish: kimya
Ukrainian: хімія
Vietnamese: ngành hóa học
All related terms of 'chemistry'
chemistry set
equipment and chemicals that enable a child to do experiments
forensic chemistry
the application of facts concerning chemistry to questions of civil and criminal law
nuclear chemistry
the branch of chemistry concerned with nuclear reactions
organic chemistry
the branch of chemistry concerned with the compounds of carbon : originally confined to compounds produced by living organisms but now extended to include man-made substances based on carbon, such as plastics
physical chemistry
the branch of chemistry concerned with the way in which the physical properties of substances depend on and influence their chemical structure, properties, and reactions
analytical chemistry
a branch of chemistry that deals with the identification of compounds and mixtures ( qualitative analysis ) or the determination of the proportions of the constituents ( quantitative analysis): techniques commonly used are titration , precipitation , spectroscopy , chromatography , etc.
inorganic chemistry
the branch of chemistry concerned with the elements and all their compounds except those containing carbon . Some simple carbon compounds, such as oxides , carbonates , etc, are treated as inorganic
combinatorial chemistry
the use of chemical methods to generate all possible combinations of chemicals
Chinese translation of 'chemistry'
chemistry
(ˈkɛmɪstrɪ)
n(u)
化学(學) (huàxué)
subject word lists
See branches of chemistrySee terms used in chemistrySee chemists