What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
covalent
Example
Water is a covalent compound. [covalent: adjective]
Example
The oxygen molecule is held together by covalent bonds. [covalent: adjective]
chemical
Example
The chemical formula for water is H2O. [chemical: adjective]
Example
The chemical reaction produced a new compound. [chemical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chemical is a more commonly used word in everyday language, while covalent is more technical and specific to the field of chemistry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between covalent and chemical?
Covalent is a more technical term and is typically used in formal or academic contexts, while chemical is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
