# amalgam

/əˈmæɫɡəm/ (US) · /ɐmˈælɡæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/amalgam
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a mixture

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a mixture or combination of different things.

For teachers: a combination or blend of diverse elements, ideas, or factors into a single whole.

- The new building is a strange amalgam of modern glass and traditional stone.
- The film's soundtrack is a fascinating amalgam of traditional folk melodies and experimental electronic textures.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

Teaching tip: In academic writing, this word suggests a more permanent or integrated blending than 'mixture'.

### 2. dental filling

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a mixture of mercury and other metals used by dentists to fill holes in teeth.

For teachers: an alloy of mercury with another metal or metals, specifically used as a restorative material in dentistry.

- The dentist replaced my old silver amalgam filling with a white one.
- While composite resins are increasingly popular, dental amalgam remains a durable and cost-effective choice for posterior restorations.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the material itself.

Teaching tip: Most learners will only encounter this in a medical or scientific context.

## Examples

- The dentist used a silver amalgam to fill the tooth.
- The new government is an amalgam of different political parties working together to pass the new law.
- The sculpture is a masterful amalgam of classical marble and modern steel, representing a bridge between ancient traditions and contemporary art.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.