malleability

American  

[mal-ee-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌmæl i əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

Sometimes malleableness

noun

1. the state of being malleable, or capable of being shaped, as by hammering or pressing.

   the extreme malleability of gold.

2. adaptability.

   the malleability of an infant's brain.

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Other Word Forms

• nonmalleability
  noun
• nonmalleableness
  noun
• unmalleability
  noun

Etymology

Origin of malleability

First recorded in 1640–50; malle(able) ( def. ) + -ability ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does malleability compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ductility vs. malleability

Explanation

Malleability is the quality of something that can be shaped into something else without breaking, like the malleability of clay. Malleability — also called plasticity — has to do with whether something can be molded. Clay (or Play-Doh) is the best example of something with high malleability; it can be sculpted into almost anything, so it's very malleable. A cinder block has no malleability at all; it can't be shaped into anything. Wet cement has great malleability, unlike dry cement. A person could also express malleability, if he or she is wishy-washy and can easily be molded by others.

Example Sentences

Malleability is the name of the game for this duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack, who have released six stylistically diverse albums together since 2007.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2020

Gox and Malleability published on February 18th, Andreas Antonopoulos said the problem with Mt.

From Forbes • Feb. 28, 2014

Malleability: Pure tin may be beaten into leaves one-fortieth of a millimeter thick, thus requiring 1020 to make an inch in thickness.

From Tin Foil and Its Combinations for Filling Teeth by Ambler, Henry Lovejoy