Word
alloy
Phoneticsal·loy, stress on the first syllable
/ˈæˌɫɔɪ/
Definitions
01metal mixture
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Technical
n. a metal made by mixing two or more types of metal together to make it stronger or better.
n. a metallic substance composed of two or more elements, typically to enhance properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, or conductivity.
日本語:合金※
“Brass is a common alloy made by mixing copper and zinc.”
“The aerospace industry relies on titanium alloys because they offer an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and can withstand extreme temperatures.”
02a combination of things
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a mix of different things, qualities, or feelings.
n. a mixture or fusion of different non-physical elements, such as emotions or ideas.
“The book was a strange alloy of adventure and philosophy.”
“Her happiness was a complex alloy of relief that the ordeal was over and sadness for those left behind.”
Teaching tip
This figurative use is mostly found in formal literature and may sound overly poetic in everyday conversation.
03to mix metals
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
v. to mix one metal with another.
v. to combine different metals or elements to form an alloy.
“The factory alloys aluminum with magnesium to create car parts.”
“By alloying the base metal with chromium, the manufacturer significantly improved the durability of the final product.”
Antonyms
04to spoil or weaken
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
v. to make something less pure or less good by adding something else to it.
v. to debase, impair, or reduce the purity of something by adding an inferior substance or quality.
“His joy was alloyed by the thought of the work he still had to do.”
“The victory was alloyed by the heavy casualties sustained during the final assault, leaving the commander in a somber mood.”
Usage
Commonly used in the passive voice or as a past participle to describe feelings.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Under the extreme pressures and temperatures in Earth's inner core, iron alloys containing light elements are predicted to enter an unusual state of matter known as the superionic state.” “If everything goes to plan, from 31 August the researchers will spend one week remotely studying metallic-glass alloys in experiments carried out on board the International Space Station, ISS.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French alloy, aloy, from Old French aloi, from aloiier, from Latin alligō.
Modification of Middle English alayen after Etymology 1, from Middle French allayer, vairant of allier, from Old French allier (“assemble, join”), from Latin alligare (“bind to, tie to”), compound of ad (“to”) + ligare (“to bind”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0