Word
steel
Phoneticssteel
US/ˈstiɫ/
UK/stˈiːl/
Definitions
01the metal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a strong, hard metal made of iron and carbon, used for making buildings, cars, and tools.
n. a hard, strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used extensively as a structural and fabricating material.
日本語:鋼鉄※
“The skyscraper was built with a massive frame made of steel.”
“Modern engineering relies heavily on high-grade steel to ensure the structural integrity of bridges and high-rise buildings.”
Synonyms
02strength of character
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. a quality of being very strong, determined, and not easily upset.
n. a quality of extreme hardness, resilience, or cold determination in a person's character.
“You could see the steel in her eyes as she faced her opponent.”
“Despite the mounting pressure from the board, the CEO showed nerves of steel and refused to resign.”
03to prepare oneself
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to prepare yourself to be strong before doing something difficult or unpleasant.
v. to prepare oneself for something difficult or unpleasant by hardening one's resolve. Transitive, often used reflexively with 'oneself'.
“She had to steel herself before giving the bad news to her team.”
“He steeled himself against the cold wind before stepping out of the cabin into the blizzard.”
04made of steel
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. made of the metal called steel.
adj. composed of or consisting of steel.
Español:acerado
“The factory was surrounded by a tall steel fence.”
“The industrial designer opted for a brushed steel finish to give the appliance a modern, minimalist aesthetic.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “steel” in context.
Verb
01. produce steel
“The plant produces thousands of tons of steel every month for the automotive market.”
verb + noun
02. reinforce with steel
“The concrete foundations were reinforced with steel to provide extra stability.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
03. stainless steel
“Most modern kitchen appliances are made of stainless steel because it is easy to clean.”
adj + noun
04. structural steel
“The construction crew used structural steel to build the frame of the new skyscraper.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. sheet of steel
“The workers carefully moved a large sheet of steel across the factory floor.”
noun + of + noun
06. steel girder
“The bridge is supported by massive steel girders that can withstand heavy traffic.”
noun + noun
07. steel industry
“The local economy relies heavily on the steel industry for jobs and investment.”
noun + noun
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the material in general; countable when referring to specific types or grades of the alloy.
Real-World Examples
“For Ohio, it's the tax on steel that will particularly hurt, as well as the tax on laundry machines.” “Like a guitarist’s fingers on steel strings, your skin has to toughen up.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. balls of steel
02. nerves of steel
Domains
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/steel
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0