iron
EYE-uhn
Iron (noun) means a common, silvery-grey metal that rusts and is attracted to magnets; the main ingredient of steel. Example: “Blacksmiths heat iron until it glows so they can shape it.”
noun
1
A common, silvery-grey metal that rusts and is attracted to magnets; the main ingredient of steel.
"Blacksmiths heat iron until it glows so they can shape it."
"The old gate was made of solid iron."
"You need iron in your diet to help your blood carry oxygen."
2
A small electrical appliance with a hot, flat base, used to smooth wrinkles out of clothes.
"The iron was too hot and left a mark on my shirt."
"Switch off the iron before you leave the house."
"She plugged in the iron to press her shirt before the interview."
verb
1
To smooth clothing or fabric using a heated iron.
"I always iron my uniform on Sunday evening."
"Could you iron these curtains before we hang them up?"
"He ironed his shirt while listening to the radio."
adj
1
Extremely strong, tough, or unyielding, used figuratively.
"She ruled the company with an iron will."
"The coach demanded iron discipline from every player on the squad."
"He kept an iron grip on the budget and never overspent."
How to use iron
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the metal, the appliance for pressing clothes, or (as a verb) the act of pressing clothes with it.
Common mistake
"Iron out" figuratively means to resolve small remaining problems ("iron out the details"), not literally pressing anything.
Common pairings
iron a shirt
cast iron
iron will
wrought iron
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Word forms
- Plural
- irons
- Third person singular
- irons
- Past tense
- ironed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Blacksmiths heat _____ until it glows so they can shape it.
Etymology
From Old English īsern/īren, from a very old Germanic and Celtic root for the metal, possibly linked to a Proto-Indo-European word for "blood" because of the metal's colour when rusted.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “iron” mean?
The word “iron” means a common, silvery-grey metal that rusts and is attracted to magnets; the main ingredient of steel. In plain terms, either the metal, the appliance for pressing clothes, or (as a verb) the act of pressing clothes with it.
How do you pronounce “iron”?
“Iron” is pronounced EYE-uhn (/ˈaɪ.ɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “iron” in a sentence?
Here is “iron” used in a sentence: “The old gate was made of solid iron.”
What part of speech is “iron”?
Depending on how it is used, “iron” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “iron” come from?
The word “iron” comes from Old English. From Old English īsern/īren, from a very old Germanic and Celtic root for the metal, possibly linked to a Proto-Indo-European word for "blood" because of the metal's colour when rusted.
Is “iron” a common word?
“Iron” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “iron” have?
“Iron” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common, silvery-grey metal that rusts and is attracted to magnets; the main ingredient of steel.
What is the difference between iron and steel?
Iron is a pure chemical element, a soft, silvery-grey metal on its own. Steel is an alloy made mainly of iron mixed with a small amount of carbon and sometimes other metals. Adding carbon makes steel much stronger and harder than pure iron, which is why steel is preferred for construction.
Why does iron rust?
Iron rusts when it reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air. This reaction, called oxidation, forms a flaky reddish-brown layer of iron oxide on the surface. Given enough time and damp, the rust eats deeper into the metal, weakening it. Keeping iron dry or coated helps prevent it from rusting.
Is iron magnetic?
Yes — iron is strongly magnetic, one of the few elements that is. It is attracted to magnets and can itself be magnetised, a property known as ferromagnetism. This makes iron central to electromagnets, motors, and many everyday magnetic devices. Its magnetism is a defining feature of the metal.
What is the chemical symbol for iron?
The chemical symbol for iron is Fe, from its Latin name 'ferrum,' and it has the atomic number 26. Several older element symbols come from Latin rather than English, which is why iron is Fe rather than 'I.' The same root gives us words like 'ferrous' and 'ferric,' meaning containing iron.
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