alloy

American  

[al-oi, uh-loi, uh-loi] / ˈæl ɔɪ, əˈlɔɪ, əˈlɔɪ /

noun

• alloys
  plural

1. a substance composed of two or more metals, or of a metal or metals with a nonmetal, intimately mixed, as by fusion or electrodeposition.

2. a less costly metal mixed with a more valuable one.

3. standard; quality; fineness.

4. admixture, as of good with evil.

   Synonyms:

   composite, blend, fusion

5. anything added that serves to reduce quality or purity.

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verb (used with object)

• alloys,
  present (3rd person singular)
• alloyed,
  past participle,  past
• alloying
  present participle

1. to mix (metals or metal with nonmetal) so as to form an alloy.

2. to reduce in value by an admixture of a less costly metal.

3. to debase, impair, or reduce by admixture; adulterate.

alloy British  

noun

1. a metallic material, such as steel, brass, or bronze, consisting of a mixture of two or more metals or of metallic elements with nonmetallic elements. Alloys often have physical properties markedly different from those of the pure metals

2. something that impairs the quality or reduces the value of the thing to which it is added

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verb

1. to add (one metal or element to another metal or element) to obtain a substance with a desired property

2. to debase (a pure substance) by mixing with an inferior element

3. to diminish or impair

alloy Scientific  

/ ăl′oi′ /

1. A metallic substance made by mixing and fusing two or more metals, or a metal and a nonmetal, to obtain desirable qualities such as hardness, lightness, and strength. Brass, bronze, and steel are all alloys.

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alloy Cultural  

1. A material made of two or more metals, or of a metal and another material. For example, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Alloys often have unexpected characteristics. In the examples given above, brass is stronger than either copper or zinc, and steel is stronger than either iron or carbon.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unalloyed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• alloys
  plural

Participles

• alloying
  present
• alloyed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• alloy
  simple
• alloys
  simple
• have alloyed
  perfect
• has alloyed
  perfect
• am alloying
  progressive
• are alloying
  progressive
• is alloying
  progressive
• have been alloying
  perfect progressive
• has been alloying
  perfect progressive

Past

• alloyed
  simple
• had alloyed
  perfect
• was alloying
  progressive
• were alloying
  progressive
• had been alloying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will alloy
  simple
• will have alloyed
  perfect
• will be alloying
  progressive
• will have been alloying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of alloy

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French aloi, Old French alei, noun derivative of aleier “to combine,” from Latin alligāre “to bind up,” equivalent to al- “toward” ( see al-) + ligāre “to bind” ( see ally, ligament); replacing earlier allay, Middle English, from Anglo-French allai

Explanation

You may have heard of aluminum alloy on a car. What that means is that there is another metal mixed in with the aluminum, to save money and/or to strengthen the wheels. The wheels are an alloy (a mix), rather than pure. In addition to indicating a dilution of one metal with another, alloy can refer to the dilution of a feeling or a quality. Knowing that you look awesome in your Halloween costume would be an alloy to the embarrassment of showing up to a party where you are the only one in a costume.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

alloy alloys alloyed alloying

The deal will allow Press Metal to pivot PMB Technology’s operations toward higher-margin silicon-aluminum alloy products used in electric vehicles and industrial applications, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Instead, magnetron sputtering deposition creates the material from alloy vapor.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

Its strategic expansion in captive power capacity and ferro alloy production are set to drive operational leverage, enhancing margins amid favorable demand tailwinds from steel-intensive sectors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

De-emphasizing China is a long process that stretches from the mine to ore processing to metal and alloy making to magnet production.

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026

Aboard Freedom, not only could there be perfect mixing, but gas bubbles could be distributed evenly throughout, making a kind of Swiss cheese, or foam-metal alloy.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

Materials scientists can now reshape the internal structure of certain alloys at extremely small scales, allowing them to enhance properties such as strength, durability, and flexibility.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

Foulkes said Mercury replaced some metal components with composite or polymer materials, and came up with aluminum alloys that maximized strength while remaining relatively lightweight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Today, most rare-earth supply chains remain dependent on China for the lucrative processing stages that separate individual elements and convert them into the metals, alloys and magnets that are used in everyday electronics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026

Aerospace and defense—where Carpenter’s alloys are used for landing gear, fasteners, and other components—comprises two-thirds of revenue.

From Barron's ● May 21, 2026

I joined the ranks of the Artificery, studying how to blow glass, mix alloys, draw wire, inscribe metal, and sculpt stone.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

They also highlight the importance of carefully selecting candidate materials that can effectively synergize when alloyed with other metals.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2023

The country brought in 255,744 tonnes, including primary metal and unwrought, alloyed aluminium, last month, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

From Reuters ● Dec. 18, 2022

The knock-on consequences are also particularly alarming for automakers, where silicon is alloyed with aluminum to make engine blocks and other parts.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2021

That was pure base boosting alloyed by just a pinch of sticking to the other side.

From Fox News ● Jul. 17, 2019

The new building sparkling in the North Carolina spring sunshine was a source of pride throughout the black community, but it was a pride alloyed with cynicism for Durham’s poorest black citizens.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

It will handle the metalization and alloying part of the rare-earths supply chain — one of the key areas China has used to control the sector, he noted.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 17, 2025

A third stream comes when the resulting pig iron is turned into steel by cooking it a bit further—baking off most of the remaining carbon—and alloying it with additives such as chromium or titanium.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 30, 2024

Arsenic is used as an alloying agent and also to make glass, pigments, textiles, adhesives and pesticides, the WHO says.

From Reuters ● Mar. 24, 2023

Along with silicon, they’re also facing a surge in magnesium, another alloying ingredient that’s faced production issues during China’s power crunch.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2021

No "commercial arrangements," no painting of surfaces, nor alloying of substances, will avail him a pennyweight.

From The Crown of Wild Olive also Munera Pulveris; Pre-Raphaelitism; Aratra Pentelici; The Ethics of the Dust; Fiction, Fair and Foul; The Elements of Drawing by Ruskin, John