fuse
15 synonyms and 1 antonym for fuse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high.
“The lights went out because a fuse had blown.”
How to use fuse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
blow a fuse
fuse together
fuse box
Etymology
A back-formation from "fusion," originally used as a verb meaning "to melt."
Full origin of fuse →Frequently asked questions
What does “fuse” mean?
The word “fuse” means a safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high. In plain terms, a safety device that breaks an electrical circuit when overloaded, or (as a verb) to melt or blend things together.
How do you pronounce “fuse”?
“Fuse” is pronounced fyooz (/fjuːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “fuse” in a sentence?
Here is “fuse” used in a sentence: “The lights went out because a fuse had blown.”
What part of speech is “fuse”?
Depending on how it is used, “fuse” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “fuse” a common word?
“Fuse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “fuse” have?
“Fuse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a safety device containing a component that melts to break an electrical circuit if the current is too high.
What is the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?
A fuse is a safety device containing a component that melts and permanently breaks the circuit if the current is too high, so it must be replaced after it triggers. A circuit breaker performs a similar safety function but can simply be switched back on after tripping, without needing replacement.
What does it mean to fuse two things together?
As a verb, to fuse means to melt or blend two or more things together, especially under heat, so they combine into one. This sense is used both literally, such as fusing metals, and figuratively, such as fusing two ideas or styles.
