alloy

American  

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

noun

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)

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

• unalloyed adjective

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” ( al- ) + ligāre “to bind” ( 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

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

It covers the early production of bronze – a copper and tin alloy – up to the first uses of iron.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

This alloy softens and deforms at relatively low temperatures — around 500 F — well below the intensity of a typical house fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

To create RidgeAlloy, researchers used advanced scientific tools to design the alloy composition.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

Of course, I’d taken the precaution of reinforcing my apartment’s walls, floor, and ceiling, with a titanium alloy SageCage, which I’d assembled piece by piece.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline