antimony: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Scientific / Historical
Quick answer
What does “antimony” mean?
A brittle, silvery-white, crystalline metallic chemical element (symbol Sb, atomic number 51).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brittle, silvery-white, crystalline metallic chemical element (symbol Sb, atomic number 51).
The element used historically in alloys (like pewter), as a pigment, and in modern electronics and flame retardants.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the word is identically technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, limited to specialised fields.
Grammar
How to Use “antimony” in a Sentence
[verb] + antimony (e.g., mine, refine, alloy with)antimony + [verb] (e.g., antimony is used, antimony compounds react)antimony + [noun] (e.g., antimony concentration, antimony deposit)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antimony” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The antimony content was analysed.
- Antimony-based pigments were common.
American English
- The antimony concentration was measured.
- Antimony oxide is a common additive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In reports on mining, commodity trading, or electronics supply chains.
Academic
In chemistry, materials science, history of alchemy, or environmental toxicology papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in metallurgy, semiconductor manufacturing, and flame-retardant chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antimony”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antimony”
- Misspelling as 'antinomy' (which means a contradiction between beliefs).
- Mispronouncing with stress on the third syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is classified as a metalloid, possessing properties of both metals and non-metals.
Elemental antimony is less toxic, but many of its compounds are toxic and require careful handling.
Its primary modern use is as a flame retardant in plastics and textiles, and in lead-acid batteries.
It is a specialised term from chemistry and materials science, not part of everyday vocabulary for most people.
A brittle, silvery-white, crystalline metallic chemical element (symbol Sb, atomic number 51).
Antimony is usually technical / scientific / historical in register.
Antimony: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæn.tɪ.mə.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.təˌmoʊ.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANTI-MONY' – An anti-monetary element? No, but historically it was used in coins (alloys like pewter).
Conceptual Metaphor
Often framed as a 'tool' or 'component' (a building block for alloys, a key ingredient in compounds).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'antimony' MOST frequently used?