noun
Uncommon
alloy
A-loy
Alloy (noun) means a metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal. Example: “Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.”
noun
1
A metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal.
"Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin."
"The wheels are made from a lightweight aluminium alloy."
"Brass is an alloy, and engineers choose it because it resists corrosion well."
verb
1
To combine metals together, or to weaken something pure by mixing in something of lesser quality.
"Gold is often alloyed with silver or copper to make it more durable."
"Blacksmiths often alloy iron with a little carbon to make a stronger blade."
"Critics said the extra jokes alloyed the seriousness of an otherwise moving speech."
How to use alloy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blend of metals melted together to get properties neither metal has alone.
Common pairings
metal alloy
alloy wheels
alloyed with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like alloy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- alloys
- Third person singular
- alloys
- Past tense
- alloyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bronze is an _____ of copper and tin.
Etymology
From Old French aloi, related to Latin alligare, "to bind together" — the same root as "ally".
Related words
Rhymes for alloy
See all rhymes for alloy →Frequently asked questions
What does “alloy” mean?
The word “alloy” means a metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal. In plain terms, a blend of metals melted together to get properties neither metal has alone.
How do you pronounce “alloy”?
“Alloy” is pronounced A-loy (/ˈæ.lɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “alloy” in a sentence?
Here is “alloy” used in a sentence: “Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.”
What part of speech is “alloy”?
Depending on how it is used, “alloy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “alloy” come from?
The word “alloy” comes from Latin. From Old French aloi, related to Latin alligare, "to bind together" — the same root as "ally".
Is “alloy” a common word?
“Alloy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “alloy” have?
“Alloy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal made by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal.
What is the difference between an alloy and a metal?
A metal is typically a pure element, such as iron or copper, while an alloy is created by melting and mixing two or more elements together, at least one of which is a metal. Alloys are made deliberately to achieve properties, such as strength or resistance to corrosion, that the individual metals lack on their own.
What are some common examples of alloys?
Well-known alloys include steel, made from iron and carbon, and bronze, made from copper and tin. These combinations are chosen because mixing the elements produces material properties superior to those of the individual metals alone.
Can "alloy" be used as a verb?
Yes, "to alloy" means to combine metals together, or figuratively, to weaken something pure by mixing in something of lesser quality. The figurative sense often appears in writing about compromised ideals or diluted qualities.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include alloy:
