Basic Details
Word: Chemistry
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The science of what substances are made of, how they behave and how they change when they combine. It can also mean the natural understanding between two people.
Synonyms: rapport, understanding
How to Spell Chemistry
Syllables: chem - is - try
Tricky part: The ch is said like k, and the middle is is, not es. Write chemist and add ry.
Watch out for: kemistry, chemestry, chemisty
Memory tip: A chemist works in chemistry: write chemist, then add ry.
Usage Examples
Example 1: We tested acids and bases with red cabbage juice in our first chemistry experiment.
Example 2: Marie Curie won Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry.
Example 3: My sister wants to study chemistry in college and become a pharmacist.
Fun Fact
Chemistry grew out of alchemy, the old attempt to turn ordinary metals into gold. Both words go back to the Arabic al-kimiya.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. chemistry 2. compund 3. elemant 4. moleculle
a) the smallest unit of a substance, made of atoms joined together
b) a substance made of only one kind of atom
c) the science of substances and how they change
d) a substance formed when two or more elements join chemically
Show answer
c) the science of substances and how they change. In science words small slips matter: molecule has one l, element ends in -ent, compound has ou. Chemistry is correct.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to chemistry as used in the sentence:
The two opening batsmen have such good chemistry that they hardly need to call for runs.
a) speed
b) talent
c) rivalry
d) rapport
Show answer
d) rapport. Chemistry between people is rapport, an easy understanding; rivalry is competition between them.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Every Friday afternoon we have a double period of tmhecsiry in the lab.
a) mystery
b) chimney
c) chemists
d) chemistry
Show answer
d) chemistry. A double period in the lab on a Friday is for chemistry, and all nine jumbled letters fit it.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
During the chemestry practical last Tuesday, we heated blue copper sulphate crystals and watched them slowly turn into a dull white powder.
a) practical
b) chemestry
c) crystals
d) powder
Show answer
b) chemestry. The middle of chemistry is is, taken straight from chemist.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In Britain, a person who prepares and sells medicines is often called a ____.
a) chemist
b) chemister
c) chemician
d) chemistor
Show answer
a) chemist
2. A chemistry lesson would most likely cover ____.
a) the rules of cricket
b) the life of Akbar
c) how acids react with metals
d) the shape of continents
Show answer
c) how acids react with metals
