chem

IPA/kem/
KK[kˈɛm]IPA/kem/

chem — noun

1. an informal shortened form of the word 'chemistry' — the science that studies wh

1.nounB1
Definition

an informal shortened form of the word 'chemistry' — the science that studies what substances are made of and how they change when they mix or react with each other.

Example

Hiro signed up for chem this semester because he wants to become a pharmacist.

informal abbreviation for the school subject

Romi spent the afternoon in the chem lab, mixing solutions for an experiment.

chem lab — common collocation for school laboratory

Common collocations
  • chem class
  • chem lab
  • chem exam
  • chem teacher
  • organic chem
Synonyms
  • chemistry

    the full, formal term; use in formal writing

Grammar Patterns

used as an informal short form of 'chemistry'

Usage Note

Used mainly in informal spoken and written contexts. In formal academic writing (e.g. research papers, official transcripts), the full word 'chemistry' is preferred.

Common Mistakes

I'm majoring in Chem at university.' (in a formal application).
I'm majoring in Chemistry at university.
use the full word in formal or official writing.

chem — adjective

chem — abbreviation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Chemistry' is the full, formal name of the scientific discipline — the preferred term in academic writing, official documents, and any context where precision matters. 'Chem' is its informal clipping, common in everyday speech ('I have chem class'), on timetables, and in casual writing among students and professionals in the field. 'Chemical science' is a broader, more formal term that encompasses all branches of chemistry along with related interdisciplinary fields; it is rarely used in conversation. For a learner, the key distinction is register: use 'chemistry' for formal contexts and 'chem' for informal or abbreviated ones where brevity is natural.

chemistry ↗chem ↗chemical science

Common collocations

Nouns

  • chem class
  • chem lab
  • chem exam
  • chem plant
  • chem company
  • chem supply

Phrases

  • chem + number (e.g. Chem 101)
  • 'Chem — handle with care'

Prepositions

  • in chem
  • for chem
  • with chem

Etymology

ArabicMedieval LatinEnglish

'Chem' is a shortened form that emerged from the word 'chemistry', which itself traces back through Latin 'chimista' and Medieval Latin 'alchimista' to Arabic 'al-kīmiyā'' (الكيمياء), meaning 'the art of transmutation'. The clipping process — where a longer word is reduced to its first syllable — is common in informal English ('lab' from laboratory, 'bio' from biology). The abbreviation was adopted into written use by the mid-20th century, particularly in educational timetables and industrial labels.