metalloid

[ met-l-oid ]

noun

1. a nonmetal that in combination with a metal forms an alloy.
2. an element that has both metallic and nonmetallic properties, as arsenic, silicon, or boron.

adjective

1. of or relating to a metalloid.
2. resembling both a metal and a nonmetal.

metalloid

/ ˈmɛtəˌlɔɪd /

noun

1. a nonmetallic element, such as arsenic or silicon, that has some of the properties of a metal

adjective

1. of or being a metalloid
2. resembling a metal

metalloid

/ mĕt′l-oid′ /

1. An element that is not a metal but that has some properties of metals. Arsenic, for example, is a metalloid that has the visual appearance of a metal, but is a poor conductor of electricity; metalloids are generally semiconductors . The elements classified as metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and polonium. Metalloids can be viewed as a diagonal section on the Period Table, separating metals from nonmetals.
2. A nonmetallic element, such as carbon, that can form alloys with metals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of metalloid¹

First recorded in 1825–35; metall- + -oid

Example Sentences

The elements that lie between metals and nonmetals are called metalloids or semi-metals.

From Science News For Students

With properties between those of metals and non-metals, silicon is a “metalloid.”

From Science News For Students

The pottery is of a chocolate brown, with a fine metalloid glaze like bronze or tortoiseshell.

From Project Gutenberg