Metal
/ˈmɛtl/
Definitions
3 meaningsA solid material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, ductile, and conducts electricity and heat.
/ˈmɛtl/
A solid material that is typically hard, shiny, and conducts electricity and heat.
Iron is a common metal used in construction.
💡 Simply: Metal is like the shiny stuff used to make things like cars, spoons, or even the wires in your walls. It's usually hard and can get electricity to flow through it!
👶 For kids: Metal is a shiny, hard thing that things can be made of.
More Examples
Gold is a precious metal prized for its beauty and value.
The car's body is made of metal.
How It's Used
"Engineers use various metals like steel and aluminum in construction."
"Metals are known for their ability to conduct electricity."
Made of, related to, or resembling metal.
/ˈmɛtl/
Made of metal.
She wore a metal bracelet.
💡 Simply: If something is metal, it's made of metal, just like a metal door is made of metal!
👶 For kids: Metal means something is made of metal!
More Examples
The metal frame of the bicycle was strong.
The metal container was filled with tools.
How It's Used
"They installed a metal gate at the entrance."
"The artist created a metal sculpture."
To provide with a metal coating or covering.
/ˈmɛtl/
They metaled the statue with bronze.
💡 Simply: To metal something is to cover it with metal, like giving it a shiny metal coat!
👶 For kids: Metal means to put a metal layer on something
More Examples
The craftsperson will metal the frame.
The technique can be used to metal many different items.
How It's Used
"The artisan metaled the surface of the sculpture with gold leaf."
From Old French *metal* (12th c.), from Latin *metallum*, from Ancient Greek *μέταλλον* (métallon, “mine, quarry, metal”), of uncertain origin, possibly related to *μετά* (metá, “after, with, among”).
Historically, the term 'metal' has been used since ancient times, often associated with its use in tools and weaponry.
Memory tip
Think of shiny objects that conduct electricity; those are metals!
Word Origin
"mine, quarry, metal"