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Definition of alchemy

alchemy

/ˈæl.kə.mi/
al · che · my
Adverb:alchemically
•
Plural:alchemies
•
Adjective:alchemical
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alchemy Lexical Profile

alchemy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A medieval philosophical and protoscientific practice that aimed to transmute base metals such as lead into gold, discover a universal cure for diseases, and find the elixir of immortality.

Example

"Early practitioners of alchemy laid much of the experimental groundwork for modern chemistry."

2

A seemingly magical or mysterious process of transformation, creation, or combination that produces something valuable or extraordinary.

Example

"Through the subtle alchemy of good editing and musical scoring, the ordinary footage became a compelling documentary."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for alchemy

• Nearby Words

alchemic
alchemical
alchemist
alchemy
alcohol
alcoholic
alcoholically

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English via Old French and Medieval Latin from Arabic 'al-kimiya', combining the definite article 'al-' with Late Greek 'khemeia' (the art of transmuting metals).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Alchemy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/alchemy
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