noun

curium

KYOOR-ee-um

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Curium (noun) means a radioactive, silver-grey metallic element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96, made artificially rather than found ready-made. Example: “Curium has the symbol Cm and sits at number 96 in the periodic table.”

noun

technical A radioactive, silver-grey metallic element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96, made artificially rather than found ready-made.

"Curium has the symbol Cm and sits at number 96 in the periodic table."

"The chemistry students learned that curium is radioactive and must be handled with great care."

"Curium is produced artificially in a particle accelerator."

How to use curium

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCurium is a man-made radioactive metal, element number 96, named after the Curies.

When to use it

The word is used almost only in chemistry, physics and other scientific writing.

Memory tip

Say it as KYOOR-ee-um, and remember that its chemical symbol is Cm, not Cu.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

curie → californium → cerium →

Common pairings

curium-244 curium isotope the element curium radioactive curium

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ has the symbol Cm and sits at number 96 in the periodic table.

Etymology

The word was formed from Curie plus the ending -ium, which is used for names of metallic elements. American scientists Glenn Seaborg, Ralph James and Albert Ghiorso first produced the element in 1944, and its name honours Pierre and Marie Curie.

Origin: English

Rhymes for curium

osmium cerium erbium sodium helium barium radium cadmium caesium fermium gallium niobium

See all rhymes for curium →

Frequently asked questions

What is curium?

Curium is a radioactive, silver-grey metallic element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96. It is made artificially in a particle accelerator.

Who discovered curium?

Curium was synthesised in 1944 by the American scientists Glenn Seaborg, Ralph James and Albert Ghiorso.

Why is curium called curium?

It was named in honour of Pierre Curie and Marie Curie, who shared the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics with Henri Becquerel for work on radioactivity.

What is the meaning of curium?

"curium" (noun) means a radioactive, silver-grey metallic element with the symbol Cm and atomic number 96, made artificially rather than found ready-made.