iridium
2 synonyms for iridium, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hard, brittle, silvery-white metallic element (atomic number 77) in the platinum group, the most corrosion-resistant metal known.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Ir
atomic number 77
How to use iridium
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
iridium alloy
iridium layer
iridium-tipped
Etymology
Named from Latin iris ("rainbow"), because many of its salts and compounds show a striking range of colours.
Full origin of iridium →Frequently asked questions
What does “iridium” mean?
The word “iridium” means a hard, brittle, silvery-white metallic element (atomic number 77) in the platinum group, the most corrosion-resistant metal known. In plain terms, one of the toughest, most corrosion-proof metals on the periodic table, often paired with platinum.
How do you pronounce “iridium”?
“Iridium” is pronounced ih-RIHD-ee-uhm (/ɪˈɹɪd.i.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “iridium” in a sentence?
Here is “iridium” used in a sentence: “Iridium is so dense and unreactive that it is used to make the tips of high-end fountain pens.”
What part of speech is “iridium”?
“Iridium” is a noun.
Where does the word “iridium” come from?
The word “iridium” comes from Latin. Named from Latin iris ("rainbow"), because many of its salts and compounds show a striking range of colours.
How many meanings does “iridium” have?
“Iridium” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, brittle, silvery-white metallic element (atomic number 77) in the platinum group, the most corrosion-resistant metal known.
