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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

aluminium

al-uu-MIHN-ee-uhm
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Also spelled aluminum (US spelling)

Aluminium (noun) means a lightweight, silvery-white metallic chemical element, symbol Al, widely used in packaging, construction, and vehicles. Example: “The drink cans are made from recycled aluminium.”

noun
1
A lightweight, silvery-white metallic chemical element, symbol Al, widely used in packaging, construction, and vehicles.
"The drink cans are made from recycled aluminium."
"The bicycle frame is made from aluminium, so it is very light."
"Wrap the leftovers in aluminium foil before putting them in the fridge."

How to use aluminium

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA common lightweight metal used in everything from foil to aircraft parts.

UK vs US

"Aluminium" is the standard spelling in British English; American, Canadian, and Philippine English use "aluminum."

Easily confused with
aluminum →
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Word forms

Plural
aluminiums
Test yourself on “aluminium” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The drink cans are made from recycled _____.

Etymology

Coined in 1812 as an alternative to "aluminum," built from Latin alumen plus the element-naming suffix "-ium."

Origin: Latin · First attested 1812

Class of 1812 aluminium joined the language around 1812.
aluminum chloride slum ti yokel
See the full Class of 1812 →

Synonyms

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aluminum al alumium E173 when used as a food colouring

Related words

al Alex Allen aluminum Alvin Xan

Rhymes for aluminium

curium osmium cerium erbium sodium helium cadmium caesium fermium gallium niobium thulium
See all rhymes for aluminium →

Frequently asked questions

What does “aluminium” mean?
The word “aluminium” means a lightweight, silvery-white metallic chemical element, symbol Al, widely used in packaging, construction, and vehicles. In plain terms, a common lightweight metal used in everything from foil to aircraft parts.
How do you pronounce “aluminium”?
“Aluminium” is pronounced al-uu-MIHN-ee-uhm (/ˌæl.(j)uˈmɪn.i.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “aluminium” in a sentence?
Here is “aluminium” used in a sentence: “The drink cans are made from recycled aluminium.”
What is another word for “aluminium”?
Words with a similar meaning to “aluminium” include alumium and E173 when used as a food colouring.
What part of speech is “aluminium”?
“Aluminium” is a noun.
Where does the word “aluminium” come from?
The word “aluminium” dates back to around 1812 and comes from Latin. Coined in 1812 as an alternative to "aluminum," built from Latin alumen plus the element-naming suffix "-ium.".
Is “aluminium” a common word?
“Aluminium” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "aluminium" and "aluminum"?
They refer to the same lightweight, silvery-white metallic element with the symbol Al. "Aluminium" is the spelling used in British and most international English, while "aluminum" is the standard American spelling.
What is aluminium mainly used for?
Aluminium is widely used in packaging, construction, and vehicles because it is lightweight, making it valuable in industries where reducing weight matters, such as automotive and aerospace manufacturing.
Is aluminium a pure metal or an alloy?
Aluminium itself is a chemical element, symbol Al. It is often combined with other metals to form aluminium alloys for added strength, but pure aluminium is a metallic element in its own right.

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Words with Latin origins Words that end with M

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al Alex Allen aluminum Alvin Xan