quicksilver
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for quicksilver, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An old name for the metal mercury.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An old name for the metal mercury.
“The old thermometer was filled with quicksilver.”
2. adj
Changing rapidly and unpredictably; mercurial.
“Her quicksilver moods made her hard to read.”
Opposites
How to use quicksilver
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
quicksilver wit
quicksilver temper
Etymology
From Old English cwicseolfor, literally "living silver," describing how mercury seems to move on its own.
Full origin of quicksilver →Frequently asked questions
What does “quicksilver” mean?
The word “quicksilver” means an old name for the metal mercury. In plain terms, either the metal mercury, or (as an adjective) something that shifts quickly and unpredictably.
How do you pronounce “quicksilver”?
“Quicksilver” is pronounced KWIHK-sihlv (/ˈkwɪkˌsɪlvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “quicksilver” in a sentence?
Here is “quicksilver” used in a sentence: “The old thermometer was filled with quicksilver.”
What part of speech is “quicksilver”?
Depending on how it is used, “quicksilver” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “quicksilver” come from?
The word “quicksilver” comes from Old English. From Old English cwicseolfor, literally "living silver," describing how mercury seems to move on its own.
How many meanings does “quicksilver” have?
“Quicksilver” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old name for the metal mercury.
