An alloy is a metal that is made by mixing two or more types of metal together.
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. [+ of]
The company produces titanium alloy.
Synonyms: mixture, combination, compound, blend More Synonyms of alloy
More Synonyms of alloy
alloy in British English
noun (ˈælɔɪ, əˈlɔɪ)
1.
a metallic material, such as steel, brass, or bronze, consisting of a mixture of two or more metals or of metallic elements with nonmetallic elements. Alloys often have physical properties markedly different from those of the pure metals
2.
something that impairs the quality or reduces the value of the thing to which it is added
verb (əˈlɔɪ)(transitive)
3.
to add (one metal or element to another metal or element) to obtain a substance with a desired property
4.
to debase (a pure substance) by mixing with an inferior element
5.
to diminish or impair
Word origin
C16: from Old French aloi a mixture, from aloier to combine, from Latin alligāre, from ligāre to bind
alloy in American English
(ˈælɔɪ; also, and for v. usually, əˈlɔɪ; æˈlɔɪ)
noun
1.
the relative purity of gold or silver; fineness
2.
a substance that is a mixture, as by fusion, of two or more metals, or of a metal and something else
3.
a. Archaic
a less valuable metal mixed with a more valuable one, often to give hardness
b.
something that lowers the value or quality of another thing when mixed with it
verb transitive
4.
to make (a metal) less pure by mixing with a less valuable metal
5.
to mix (metals) to form an alloy
6.
to debase by mixing with something inferior
Word origin
ME alai < Anglo-Fr alei (OFr aloi) < aleier < L alligare < ad-, to + ligare, to bind: see ligature
alloy in Mechanical Engineering
(ælɔɪ)
Word forms: (regular plural) alloys
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Materials)
An alloy is a metal which is not pure because other elements have been added to it.
Melting aluminum with a small amount of copper produces the alloy duralumin.
Like other copper alloys, Cu-Ni alloys possess excellent mechanical properties at low temperatures.
An alloy is a metal which is not pure because other elements have been added to it.
Examples of 'alloy' in a sentence
alloy
Most are made of copper alloy and would have graced the dining table of a wealthy household.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The phone is made of a solid aluminium alloy with a special ceramic coating.
The Sun (2016)
Now light switches and door handles could be replaced with the metal and alloys such as brass.
The Sun (2015)
The aluminium alloy wheels are a triumph.
The Sun (2013)
It specialises in working with alloys and metals that are difficult to shape and form.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Cue also a look of affected bafflement that my bike is made of aluminium alloy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It also gets unique alloy wheels.
The Sun (2008)
It sits on stylish 16in alloys too.
The Sun (2016)
Technically, bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Almost all are made of an alloy of copper which melts at a lower temperature than pure copper and is thus easier to pour.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
Both get body skirts, 18in alloys and twin exhausts.
The Sun (2008)
Plus you get air con, metallic paint and alloy Wheels.
The Sun (2014)
There is also a redesigned grille and front bumper, together with new 16in alloy wheels.
The Sun (2010)
The Sting gets alloy wheels, white body stripes and an upgraded cabin and equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Kit includes cruise control, air con and 16in alloys.
The Sun (2015)
It sits on 16in alloy wheels, too.
The Sun (2016)
Bronze, of course, is an alloy of copper and tin.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
Changes include 16in alloy wheels, a chrome sport grille and a rear spoiler.
The Sun (2010)
If you're selling a used car, forget about upgrading the sat nav or adding alloy wheels.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Some continental examples were of copper alloy, of golden sheen when newly cast, while others were actually gilded.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The yarn is a combination of thin, metallic alloys with natural and synthetic yarns such as cotton, polyester or silk.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Add lightweight 18in alloys, a fat exhaust pipe and rear roof spoiler and you get the attention normally reserved for supercars.
The Sun (2008)
Miners improved on an alloy of roaring metals prices, yet more positive broker comment and encouraging news about demand from China.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
alloy
British English: alloy NOUN
An alloy is a metal that is made by mixing two or more types of metal together.
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
American English: alloy
Brazilian Portuguese: liga
Chinese: 合金
European Spanish: aleación
French: alliage
German: Legierung
Italian: lega
Japanese: 合金
Korean: 합금
European Portuguese: liga
Latin American Spanish: aleación
Chinese translation of 'alloy'
alloy
(ˈælɔɪ)
n(c/u)
合金 (héjīn) (种(種), zhǒng)
an alloy of ... ... 的合金 ( ... de héjīn)
(noun)
Definition
a mixture of two or more metals
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
Synonyms
mixture
a mixture of concrete and resin
combination
A combination of factors are to blame.
compound
Organic compounds contain carbon in their molecules.
blend
He makes up his own blends of flour.
hybrid
a hybrid between watermint and spearmint
best champion Mule or Hybrid
composite
Spain is a composite of diverse traditions and people.
amalgam
I tend to make my characters an amalgam of several people.
meld
admixture
His heart beat with an admixture of aversion and thrill.
(verb)
Definition
to mix metals in order to obtain a substance with a desired property
Synonyms
mix
Oil and water don't mix.
Mix the cinnamon with the sugar.
combine
Combine the flour with water to make a paste.
Her tale combines a strong storyline with sly humour.
compound
An emotion oddly compounded of pleasure and bitterness flooded over me.
blend
Blend the ingredients until you have a smooth cream.
fuse
The chemicals fused to form a new compound.
amalgamate
The firm has amalgamated with an American company.
meld
admix
subject word lists
See Alloys
Additional synonyms
in the sense of admixture
Definition
a mixture
His heart beat with an admixture of aversion and thrill.
Synonyms
mixture,
combination,
compound,
blend,
fusion,
alloy,
medley,
amalgamation,
meld,
intermixture
in the sense of amalgam
Definition
a blend or combination
I tend to make my characters an amalgam of several people.
Synonyms
combination,
mixture,
compound,
blend,
union,
composite,
fusion,
alloy,
amalgamation,
meld,
admixture
in the sense of amalgamate
Definition
to combine or unite
The firm has amalgamated with an American company.