noun
Uncommon
cobalt
KOH-bolt
Cobalt (noun) means a hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments. Example: “Cobalt is added to steel to make it more heat-resistant.”
noun
1
A hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments.
"Cobalt is added to steel to make it more heat-resistant."
2
A deep, vivid blue colour, named after a pigment made from the metal.
"The ceramic bowl was glazed a striking cobalt."
How to use cobalt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metal used in alloys and batteries, and also the name of the rich blue colour associated with its compounds.
Common pairings
cobalt blue
cobalt mining
a cobalt alloy
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Word forms
- Plural
- cobalts
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_____ is added to steel to make it more heat-resistant.
Etymology
From German Kobalt, itself linked to Kobold ("goblin") — miners blamed mischievous spirits for cobalt ore, which looked like silver but poisoned them with arsenic fumes when smelted.
Synonyms
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Co
atomic number 27
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cobalt” mean?
The word “cobalt” means a hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments. In plain terms, a metal used in alloys and batteries, and also the name of the rich blue colour associated with its compounds.
How do you pronounce “cobalt”?
“Cobalt” is pronounced KOH-bolt (/ˈkoʊ.bɔlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cobalt” in a sentence?
Here is “cobalt” used in a sentence: “Cobalt is added to steel to make it more heat-resistant.”
What part of speech is “cobalt”?
“Cobalt” is a noun.
Where does the word “cobalt” come from?
The word “cobalt” comes from German. From German Kobalt, itself linked to Kobold ("goblin") — miners blamed mischievous spirits for cobalt ore, which looked like silver but poisoned them with arsenic fumes when smelted.
Is “cobalt” a common word?
“Cobalt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cobalt” have?
“Cobalt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element (symbol Co, atomic number 27), used to make alloys and pigments.
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