cobalt
2 synonyms for cobalt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
atomic number 27
How to use cobalt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cobalt blue
cobalt mining
a cobalt alloy
Etymology
From German Kobalt, itself linked to Kobold ("goblin") — miners blamed mischievous spirits for cobalt ore, which looked like silver but poisoned them with arsenic fumes when smelted.
Full origin of cobalt →Frequently asked questions
What does “cobalt” mean?
The word “cobalt” means a hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments. In plain terms, a metal used in alloys and batteries, and also the name of the rich blue colour associated with its compounds.
How do you pronounce “cobalt”?
“Cobalt” is pronounced KOH-bolt (/ˈkoʊ.bɔlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cobalt” in a sentence?
Here is “cobalt” used in a sentence: “Cobalt is added to steel to make it more heat-resistant.”
What part of speech is “cobalt”?
“Cobalt” is a noun.
Where does the word “cobalt” come from?
The word “cobalt” comes from German. From German Kobalt, itself linked to Kobold ("goblin") — miners blamed mischievous spirits for cobalt ore, which looked like silver but poisoned them with arsenic fumes when smelted.
Is “cobalt” a common word?
“Cobalt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cobalt” have?
“Cobalt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments.
