noun
erbium
UR-bee-um
Erbium (noun) means a silvery-white metallic chemical element with the symbol Er and atomic number 68. Example: “Erbium is never found on its own in nature.”
noun
1
A silvery-white metallic chemical element with the symbol Er and atomic number 68.
"Erbium is never found on its own in nature."
"The symbol for erbium is Er."
"She looked up erbium in the periodic table."
How to use erbium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA silvery-white metal, symbol Er, found in nature only combined with other elements.
When to use it
It is a technical term, used mainly in chemistry.
Memory tip
Erbium, terbium and ytterbium share a source in the name Ytterby, so check the spelling carefully.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
erbium atom
symbol Er
atomic number 68
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_____ is never found on its own in nature.
Etymology
The word was borrowed from New Latin erbium, which is built from Ytterby, the Swedish town where the element was discovered, plus -ium. The Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander coined it in 1843.
Rhymes for erbium
See all rhymes for erbium →Frequently asked questions
What is erbium?
Erbium is a silvery-white metal with the symbol Er and atomic number 68.
Where does erbium get its name?
It is named after Ytterby, the Swedish town where the element was discovered.
How do you pronounce erbium?
In British English it is said UR-bee-um, with the stress on the first syllable.
What is the meaning of erbium?
"erbium" (noun) means a silvery-white metallic chemical element with the symbol Er and atomic number 68.
