noun B1 Intermediate Common

bronze

bronz

Bronze (noun) means a metal alloy, usually of copper and tin, used for statues, tools, and medals. Example: “The statue in the square was cast in bronze.”

noun

A metal alloy, usually of copper and tin, used for statues, tools, and medals.

"The statue in the square was cast in bronze."

A reddish-brown color, like that of the metal.

"She painted the door frame in a warm bronze."

A bronze medal, awarded for third place.

"The gymnast took home a bronze at the championships."

verb

To tan the skin, or to become tanned.

"His skin bronzed quickly after a week at the beach."

How to use bronze

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe reddish-brown metal (or its color), or the third-place medal in sports; as a verb, to tan in the sun.

Common pairings

bronze medal bronze statue bronze age bronzed skin

Word forms

more bronze comparative, bronzed past tense, bronzes plural, Bronzes plural, Bronzes plural, bronzes singular, most bronze superlative

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Fill the gap

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The statue in the square was cast in _____.

Etymology

Borrowed from French bronze in the early 1500s, from Italian bronzo, itself of uncertain origin.

Origin: French · First attested 1500

Class of 1500 bronze joined the language around 1500.

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Synonyms

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copper-brown reddish-brown tan chestnut

Related words

brown copper tan Manila camel auburn chestnut tangent

Frequently asked questions

What does “bronze” mean?

The word “bronze” means a metal alloy, usually of copper and tin, used for statues, tools, and medals. In plain terms, the reddish-brown metal (or its color), or the third-place medal in sports; as a verb, to tan in the sun.

How do you pronounce “bronze”?

“Bronze” is pronounced bronz (/bɹɑnz/ in IPA).

How do you use “bronze” in a sentence?

Here is “bronze” used in a sentence: “The statue in the square was cast in bronze.”

What part of speech is “bronze”?

Depending on how it is used, “bronze” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bronze” come from?

The word “bronze” dates back to around 1500 and comes from French. Borrowed from French bronze in the early 1500s, from Italian bronzo, itself of uncertain origin.

Is “bronze” a common word?

“Bronze” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “bronze” have?

“Bronze” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal alloy, usually of copper and tin, used for statues, tools, and medals.

What is the difference between bronze and brass?

Both are copper alloys, but bronze is usually a mix of copper and tin, while brass is a mix of copper and zinc. Bronze is traditionally used for statues, tools, and medals, whereas brass is common in fittings and musical instruments. The different second metal gives them different colours and properties.

What is the difference between bronze and copper?

Copper is a pure metal, while bronze is an alloy made mainly of copper combined with tin. Adding tin makes bronze harder and more durable than copper on its own, which is why bronze is favoured for statues, tools, and medals.

Why is third place called bronze?

In sport, the third-place medal is made of or coloured like bronze, ranking below gold for first and silver for second. This reflects the traditional use of bronze for medals, giving "bronze" the sense of third place.

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Vocabulary lists that include bronze:

Words with French origins Words that start with B

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