alloy

[ noun al-oi, uh-loi; verb uh-loi ]

/ noun ˈæl ɔɪ, əˈlɔɪ; verb əˈlɔɪ /

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See synonyms for: alloy / alloyed on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

a less costly metal mixed with a more valuable one.

standard; quality; fineness.

admixture, as of good with evil.

anything added that serves to reduce quality or purity.

verb (used with object)

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

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

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

OTHER WORDS FOR alloy

4 fusion, blend, composite.

See synonyms for alloy on Thesaurus.com

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM alloy

un·al·loyed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alloy

allay, alley, alloy , ally

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alloy in a sentence

It’s got classic fonts on the keys, an aluminum alloy frame, and three-way cable routing to ensure that you can keep your cords under control.
Best gaming keyboard: Light up your setup|Edmund Torr|February 19, 2021|Popular-Science
In the 1960s, the only metal light and tough enough for such a feat was a titanium alloy, which made up 90 percent of the aircraft.
A CIA spyplane crashed outside Area 51 a half-century ago. This explorer found it.|Sarah Scoles|January 5, 2021|Popular-Science
The company had to develop its own proprietary titanium alloy that could endure both the rigors of the manufacturing constraints and the repeated impacts from massive tee shots.
The 100 greatest innovations of 2020|Popular Science Staff|December 2, 2020|Popular-Science
Acmetop’s over-door hook hanger is made of the same aluminum alloy as the back of an iPhone case—yes, the one that you drop several times a week—so you know it will be strong enough to hold even your heaviest winter coats.
Over-door hooks for freeing up precious closet space|PopSci Commerce Team|October 8, 2020|Popular-Science

It weighed scarce one maes, or nine diezmos, of the fineness of eighteen or nineteen carats, alloyed with silver.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
His satisfaction was soon alloyed, for the means which he had employed to gain his end roused widespread indignation.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
But the osmium and uranium alloyed with it are something else.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
Some of the Dahlonega gold is said to be as pure as any in the world, but it is commonly alloyed with silver.
Letters from the Alleghany Mountains|Charles Lanman
The Treasure further contained a small cup of gold alloyed with 20 per cent.
Troy and its Remains|Henry (Heinrich) Schliemann

British Dictionary definitions for alloy

alloy

noun (ˈælɔɪ, əˈlɔɪ)

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

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

verb (əˈlɔɪ) (tr)

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

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

to diminish or impair

Word Origin for alloy

C16: from Old French aloi a mixture, from aloier to combine, from Latin alligāre, from ligāre to bind

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for alloy

alloy

[ ăl′oi′ ]

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.

Cultural definitions for alloy

alloy

[ (al-oy, uh-loy) ]

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.

alloy

OTHER WORDS FOR alloy

Origin of alloy

OTHER WORDS FROM alloy

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alloy

Words related to alloy

How to use alloy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alloy

Word Origin for alloy

Scientific definitions for alloy

Cultural definitions for alloy