chemo

¹ American  

[kee-moh, kem-oh] / ˈki moʊ, ˈkɛm oʊ /

noun

Informal.

plural

chemos

1. chemotherapy or a chemotherapy treatment.

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chemo- ² American  

1. a combining form with the meanings “chemical,” “chemically induced,” “chemistry,” used in the formation of compound words.

   chemotherapy.

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chemo ¹ British  

/ ˈkiːməʊ /

noun

1. informal short for chemotherapy

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chemo- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating that chemicals or chemical reactions are involved

   chemotherapy

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Etymology

Origin of chemo¹

By shortening; -o

Origin of chemo-²

chem-, extracted from chemical or chemistry + -o- or -i-

Example Sentences

Her first round of chemo and radiotherapy is over, although she is still living with the disease.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Julian has blood cancer, a condition that is “incurable but manageable” so long as it is “fed a daily dose of chemo to keep it happy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

He will finish chemo this month and start radiation therapy in January.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

When she does return to the screen, Rogers will still be sporting her famous ginger mane, as she didn’t lose her hair during chemo.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

Like when her dad was going through chemo.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti