interpersonal chemistry
1
6.1
- noun
- /ˌɪntərˈpɜrsənl ˈkɛmɪstri/
- There was instant interpersonal chemistry between them, making their collaboration effortless.
Examples
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Despite their differences, strong interpersonal chemistry kept their friendship intact for years.
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Sometimes interpersonal chemistry is more important than skills when building a team.
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Their interpersonal chemistry is evident during meetings.
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Do you think they have good interpersonal chemistry?
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Despite their differences, a strong sense of interpersonal chemistry allowed them to work together harmoniously.
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She felt that interpersonal chemistry was crucial for a successful partnership in business.
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The interpersonal chemistry between the two actors made the film's romantic scenes believable.
Synonyms
131
4.5
A natural strong feeling of attraction and connection between two people
41
5.5
A friendly, trusting relationship where people understand each other and talk easily
14
3.9
A situation where two people understand each other and get along
6
8.2
A special, difficult to explain quality that makes people work well together
How Connected
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'interpersonal' clearly signals a relation between people, and 'chemistry' here is a metaphorical extension (from physical chemistry to emotional rapport). Because understanding the MWE requires recognizing this figurative use of 'chemistry' rather than a literal scientific meaning, a B1 learner who only knows the literal senses may not fully predict it, though the metaphor is common and often inferable.
Etymology
Interpersonal chemistry comes from the image of chemistry: when two chemicals are mixed they react and sometimes make a spark or a clear change. So the phrase paints a picture of people 'reacting' well together, and that's why it means how easily people 'get along' or 'connect'.