alloy

1 of 2

noun

al·​loy ˈa-ˌlȯi 

also

ə-ˈlȯi 

1

: the degree of mixture with base metals : fineness

2

: a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten

also : the state of union of the components

3

a

: an admixture that lessens value

b

: an impairing alien element

4

: a compound, mixture, or union of different things

an ethnic alloy of many peoples

5

archaic : a metal mixed with a more valuable metal to give durability or some other desired quality

alloy

2 of 2

verb

al·​loy ə-ˈlȯi 

also

ˈa-ˌlȯi 

alloyed; alloying; alloys

transitive verb

1

a

: temper, moderate

b

: to impair or debase by admixture

2

: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal

3

: to mix so as to form an alloy

intransitive verb

: to lend itself to being alloyed

iron alloys well

Synonyms of alloy

Noun

• mixture
• amalgam
• blend
• mix
• amalgamation
• composite
• combination
• fusion

Examples of alloy in a Sentence

Noun

testing the properties of various alloys

a part made of aluminum alloy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The engineering challenge Single-crystal turbine blades operate at temperatures that already exceed those of ordinary steel and approach the melting point of the alloy itself. —Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026

Prior transactions between the companies included Tesla selling solar equipment and car parts to SpaceX, Tesla using SpaceX private jets, and Tesla leaning on SpaceX to develop a special alloy for its Cybertruck. —Seema Mody,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 26 May 2026

Verb

Keeping them stable under those conditions requires precise control over a nickel base alloyed with multiple elements, each with different physical and chemical properties, that must be uniformly melted, fused, and kept free of impurities. —Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026

Historically, major breakthroughs like watermills and windmills, alloying copper and tin to make bronze, gun powder, steam engines, powered multiple-spindle thread-spinning jennies, powered looms, telegraphs and light bulbs were developed in the private sector. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French aloi, from Old French alei, from aleir to combine, from Latin alligare to bind — more at ally

First Known Use

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for alloy

• ahoy
• annoy
• carboy
• convoy
• cowboy
• decoy
• deploy
• destroy
• employ
• employe
• enjoy
• kilroy

Kids Definition

alloy

1 of 2 noun

al·​loy ˈal-ˌȯi 

ə-ˈlȯi

: a substance consisting of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal united usually by being melted together

alloy

2 of 2 verb

al·​loy ə-ˈlȯi 

ˈal-ˌȯi

1

: to reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable metal

2

: to mix so as to form an alloy

3

: to make worse by mixing with something else

Medical Definition

alloy

noun

al·​loy ˈal-ˌȯi  ə-ˈlȯi 

1

: the degree of mixture with base metals

2

: a substance composed of two or more metals or of a metal and a nonmetal intimately united usually by being fused together and dissolving in each other when molten

also : the state of union of the components

alloy

ə-ˈlȯi  ˈal-ˌȯi 

transitive verb