araldite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Brand / Informal
Quick answer
What does “araldite” mean?
A proprietary name for a very strong, two-part epoxy adhesive or glue.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proprietary name for a very strong, two-part epoxy adhesive or glue.
Often used generically to refer to any extremely strong epoxy adhesive, or to describe something that is very firmly stuck together.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly recognized as a brand/generic term in the UK and Commonwealth countries. In the US, 'epoxy' or specific brands like 'Gorilla Epoxy' or 'J-B Weld' are more frequent generic terms.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes a legendary, 'fix-anything' strength. In the US, it may be less familiar, carrying a more technical or British connotation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English; low to very low frequency in everyday US English.
Grammar
How to Use “araldite” in a Sentence
[use/apply] + Araldite + [to/on] + OBJECTOBJECT + [is/are] + stuck (together) + [with] + AralditeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “araldite” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He araldited the handle back on the mug.
- I'll have to araldite that bracket in place.
American English
- We need to epoxy this back together.
- He used epoxy to fix the figurine.
adverb
British English
- The parts were stuck Araldite-fast.
- It's bonded Araldite-strong.
American English
- It's stuck epoxy-tight.
- The joint is sealed epoxy-strong.
adjective
British English
- It's an Araldite-level fix.
- That's a proper Araldite job.
American English
- That's an epoxy repair.
- You'll need a two-part adhesive solution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in manufacturing, hardware, or DIY retail contexts.
Academic
Rare; potentially in materials science or engineering papers discussing adhesives.
Everyday
Used in DIY/home repair contexts, often metaphorically for something very stuck.
Technical
Used in engineering, crafting, and repair manuals to specify a type of epoxy resin adhesive.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “araldite”
- Misspelling: 'Araldight', 'Aralditee'.
- Using it as a verb incorrectly: 'I Araldited it' is informal/non-standard.
- Uncapitalised in formal writing where the brand name is intended.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Araldite is an epoxy, which is usually a two-part mixture that sets slowly and is excellent for gaps and structural bonds. Superglue (cyanoacrylate) is a single-component, fast-setting adhesive for small, tight-fitting parts.
Yes, but it depends on the type of plastic. Epoxy adhesives like Araldite bond well to many plastics, but some plastics (like polyethylene or polypropylene) are very difficult to glue without special surface preparation.
It is a two-part epoxy. One tube contains the resin, the other the hardener. They must be mixed in the correct ratio to start a chemical reaction that causes the mixture to harden into a very strong solid.
In formal English, it is a trademarked noun. However, in informal British English, it is sometimes used as a verb (e.g., 'I araldited it'), meaning to glue something with a strong epoxy.
A proprietary name for a very strong, two-part epoxy adhesive or glue.
Araldite is usually technical / brand / informal in register.
Araldite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈær.əl.daɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛr.əl.daɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's stuck like Araldite.”
- “You'd need Araldite to fix that relationship.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A RALly might need DITE (tight) bonds — use ARALDITE.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ULTIMATE PERMANENCE / UNBREAKABLE BOND (e.g., 'Their friendship was sealed with Araldite.')
Practice
Quiz
What is Araldite primarily known as?