Word
quicksilver
Phoneticsquick·sil·ver, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkwɪkˈsɪɫvɝ/
UK/kwˈɪksɪlvɐ/
Definitions
01the metal mercury
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Literary · Archaic
n. a liquid silver metal, also called mercury, that was often used in old thermometers.
n. the chemical element mercury. Uncountable in this sense and largely replaced by 'mercury' in scientific contexts.
“The broken thermometer spilled beads of quicksilver across the floor.”
“In the dim light of the laboratory, the quicksilver pooled in the bottom of the flask like a living, liquid mirror.”
Synonyms
02changing quickly
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. changing very fast and often, like someone's mood or a person's fast movements.
adj. characterised by rapid and unpredictable change in mood, movement, or temperament.
“The young actor was famous for his quicksilver changes of emotion on stage.”
“Her quicksilver wit made her a formidable debater, as she could pivot between arguments before her opponents had time to react.”
Teaching tip
Learners should use this to describe personality or movement rather than physical weather or temperature.
03to coat with mercury
C2 · Proficiency Technology Archaic · Technical
v. to cover a surface, like the back of a mirror, with a layer of mercury.
v. to treat or overlay a surface with an amalgam of mercury and tin.
“The craftsman used an old method to quicksilver the glass for the mirror.”
“The artisan spent hours learning how to quicksilver the glass plates to achieve the specific reflective quality required for the restoration project.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb requiring a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Quicksilver and giddy in its exploration of Irish music, language and identity, Trá Pháidín’s second album bursts open the idea of a 21st-century traditional folk record.” “Eventually, 438 feet of handmade wool felt will meander through and among the rocks, evoking deep-blue pools, quicksilver channels and turbulent whitewater.” “Stubbs's quicksilver emotional changes are out of this world.” Etymology
From Middle English quyk silver, quyksilver, quikselver, from Old English cwicseolfor (“quicksilver”, literally “living silver”) (see Latin argentum vīvum) from its ability to move. See quick in the sense of "living". Cognate with Dutch kwikzilver, German Low German Quicksülver, German Quecksilber, Danish kviksølv, Norwegian Bokmål kvikksølv, Swedish kvicksilver. By surface analysis, quick (“living”) + silver.
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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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