Word
malleable
Phoneticsmal·leable
US/ˈmæɫiəbəɫ/
UK/mˈæləbəl/
Definition
adj. easy to shape or change. You use this to describe things like metal that can be hammered into different shapes, or people who are easy to influence.
adj. capable of being shaped or formed by hammering or pressure; easily influenced or persuaded. Often used to describe both physical materials and abstract qualities like opinions or character.
Examples
“Gold is a very malleable metal.”
“The young apprentice was malleable and willing to learn any new technique his master suggested.”
“While the initial proposal was rigid, the final draft proved surprisingly malleable, allowing the committee to incorporate several minor amendments without compromising the core objectives.”
Examples
simple
“Gold is a very malleable metal.”
contextual
“The young apprentice was malleable and willing to learn any new technique his master suggested.”
complex
“While the initial proposal was rigid, the final draft proved surprisingly malleable, allowing the committee to incorporate several minor amendments without compromising the core objectives.”
Real-World Examples
“As long as the clay stays malleable, dents and cracks can still be smoothed out.” “Even his age is strangely malleable: he’s now 43 but looks barely any older than he did playing Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter films.” Etymology
From Middle French malléable, borrowed from Late Latin malleābilis, derived from Latin malleāre (“to hammer”), from malleus (“hammer”), from Proto-Indo-European mal-ni- (“crushing”), an extended variant of melh₂- (“crush, grind”).
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/malleable