# molten

/ˈmoʊɫtən/ (US) · /mˈəʊltən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. liquefied by heat

adjective · CEFR B2

melted by very high heat, usually referring to metal, glass, or rock.

For teachers: liquefied by heat; typically applied to substances that are solid at room temperature, such as metals, glass, or silicate rocks.

- The volcano poured molten rock down the side of the mountain.
- The factory workers wore protective gear to shield themselves from the intense heat radiating from the vats of molten steel.

### 2. made from melted material

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

made by pouring hot, liquid material into a shape and letting it cool.

For teachers: produced by the process of melting and casting; often used in a literary or technical context to describe metalwork.

- The museum displayed ancient molten images made of gold and silver.
- The artisan specialised in molten glass techniques, creating intricate sculptures that captured the fluid motion of the material.

### 3. glowing hot

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

shining with a very bright, hot light like liquid metal.

For teachers: characterised by a glowing, intense heat or appearance suggestive of liquefied metal.

- The sunset turned the clouds into a molten orange colour.
- The sky was a molten gold as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a fierce light across the desert.

## Examples

- The volcano poured molten lava down the mountain.
- Workers at the steel mill must wear protective gear to handle the molten iron safely as it flows into the molds.
- The Earth's outer core consists primarily of molten iron and nickel, the movement of which generates the planet's magnetic field through a complex dynamo effect.

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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.