adj
ferrous
FEH-ruhs
Ferrous (adj) means containing or relating to iron. Example: “Ferrous metals like steel are attracted to magnets, unlike aluminium.”
adj
1
Containing or relating to iron.
"Ferrous metals like steel are attracted to magnets, unlike aluminium."
2
In chemistry, describing iron compounds where the iron has a +2 charge.
"Ferrous sulfate is often prescribed to treat iron-deficiency anaemia."
How to use ferrous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to iron — "ferrous metals" is a common term in recycling and metalwork for iron-based materials.
Common mistake
Ferrous (containing iron) is easily confused with "ferocious" (fierce) — they look similar but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ferrous metal
ferrous sulfate
non-ferrous
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ferrous
- Superlative
- most ferrous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ metals like steel are attracted to magnets, unlike aluminium.
Etymology
From Latin ferrum, "iron."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonferrous
Related words
Rhymes for ferrous
See all rhymes for ferrous →Frequently asked questions
What does “ferrous” mean?
The word “ferrous” means containing or relating to iron. In plain terms, relating to iron — "ferrous metals" is a common term in recycling and metalwork for iron-based materials.
How do you pronounce “ferrous”?
“Ferrous” is pronounced FEH-ruhs (/ˈfɛɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ferrous” in a sentence?
Here is “ferrous” used in a sentence: “Ferrous metals like steel are attracted to magnets, unlike aluminium.”
What is the opposite of “ferrous”?
The opposite of “ferrous” — its antonyms — is nonferrous.
What part of speech is “ferrous”?
“Ferrous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ferrous” come from?
The word “ferrous” comes from Latin. From Latin ferrum, "iron.".
How many meanings does “ferrous” have?
“Ferrous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: containing or relating to iron.
