noun
alloy
A-loy
noun
1
A metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal.
"Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin."
"The wheels are made from a lightweight aluminium alloy."
verb
1
To combine metals together, or to weaken something pure by mixing in something of lesser quality.
"Gold is often alloyed with silver or copper to make it more durable."
How to Use Alloy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blend of metals melted together to get properties neither metal has alone.
Common pairings
metal alloy
alloy wheels
alloyed with
Word Forms
alloyed past tense, alloys plural, alloys singular
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Bronze is an _____ of copper and tin.
Etymology
From Old French aloi, related to Latin alligare, "to bind together" — the same root as "ally".