Alloy
/ˈælɔɪ/
Definitions
A mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a nonmetal, fused together.
/ˈælɔɪ/
A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements, especially to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.
This jewelry is made from a precious metal alloy.
💡 Simply: A special mix of metals that is stronger than each metal alone.
More Examples
The engineer specified a particular alloy for its high tensile strength.
How It's Used
"Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon."
"The bridge's construction relied on high-strength alloys."
From Middle English aloi, from Anglo-French aloi, from Old French aloi, a variant of aloier "to praise, extol, enhance," ultimately of Germanic origin.
The term has been used in metallurgy since the Middle Ages, reflecting the increasing understanding and application of metal mixtures.
Memory tip
Think of 'al' (like aluminum) and 'loy' (like loyal) - loyal metals combine to create a stronger alloy.
Word Origin
"to praise, enhance"