ore
4 synonyms for ore, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Rock or mineral from which metal or other valuable material can be extracted.
Synonyms
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.
lode
mineral deposit
How to use ore
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
iron ore
mine for ore
ore deposit
Etymology
From Old English ōra ("unwrought metal") blended with ār ("brass, copper, bronze").
Full origin of ore →Frequently asked questions
What does “ore” mean?
The word “ore” means rock or mineral from which metal or other valuable material can be extracted. In plain terms, raw rock that contains metal or minerals worth mining.
How do you pronounce “ore”?
“Ore” is pronounced aw (/oɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ore” in a sentence?
Here is “ore” used in a sentence: “The mine has been extracting iron ore from these hills for decades.”
What part of speech is “ore”?
“Ore” is a noun.
Where does the word “ore” come from?
The word “ore” comes from Old English. From Old English ōra ("unwrought metal") blended with ār ("brass, copper, bronze").
Is “ore” a common word?
“Ore” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between ore and a mineral?
A mineral is any naturally occurring solid with a defined chemical composition, whereas ore refers specifically to rock or mineral material from which a metal or other valuable substance can be profitably extracted. In short, all ore contains minerals, but only mineral deposits worth mining are called ore.
What is the difference between ore and metal?
Ore is the raw rock as it comes out of the ground, still mixed with unwanted material. Metal is the refined, purified substance that is separated out from the ore through processes such as smelting.
What are some common types of ore?
Ores are usually named after the metal they yield, such as iron ore, copper ore, and gold ore. The term simply signals that the rock holds enough of a valuable material to make extraction worthwhile.
Is ore spelled the same as oar or or?
No. Ore is the mineral-bearing rock, an oar is the pole used to row a boat, and or is a conjunction linking alternatives. The three words sound alike but have completely different meanings and spellings.
