meld
C1Formal, technical (gaming)
Definition
Meaning
To combine or blend two or more things together into a unified whole.
In card games (especially rummy), to declare or show a combination of cards that scores points. More broadly, any process of merging distinct elements.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a seamless or harmonious combination where the original elements lose some individual identity. In gaming, it's a specific technical action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American English, particularly in business and tech contexts. The card game usage is understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Both varieties share the core meaning. In UK English, 'merge' or 'amalgamate' might be slightly more frequent in formal writing.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday conversation for both, but recognised.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
meld A and Bmeld A with BA and B meldmeld into CVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Meld into the background”
- “A melding of minds”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe corporate mergers or the integration of teams/strategies.
Academic
Used in humanities and social sciences to discuss cultural synthesis or theoretical integration.
Everyday
Rare in casual chat. Might be used in discussions about cooking, art, or music.
Technical
Specific term in card games (e.g., gin rummy, mahjong).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The architect sought to meld traditional materials with modern design.
- In canasta, you must meld before you can go out.
American English
- The company aims to meld innovation with customer service.
- She melded the data from both surveys into one report.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form in use.
American English
- No common adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form in use.
American English
- No common adjectival form in use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The chef melded Italian and Asian flavours in the new dish.
- The two companies melded to form a stronger business.
- Her writing style melds scientific precision with poetic imagery.
- The peace talks aimed to meld the differing proposals into a single agreement.
- The film successfully melds social commentary with gripping entertainment.
- Over centuries, the languages melded, creating a unique dialect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MELT + BLEND = MELD. When things melt together, they blend into one.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNITY IS MIXING / CREATION IS COMBINATION
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'плавить' (to melt). Closer to 'объединять', 'сливать(ся)', 'сплавлять' (in abstract sense).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'meld' for simple mixing without the implication of unity (e.g., 'I melded the salad' is odd).
- Confusing it with 'melt'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'meld' a specific technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Meld' implies the components lose their individual identity to form a new, unified whole. 'Mix' can mean simply putting things together without them blending inseparably.
Rarely. Its primary use is as a verb. In card games, the *result* of melding can be called 'a meld', but this is domain-specific.
It is a blend (a portmanteau) of 'melt' and 'weld', coined in the late 19th century. The card game sense comes from German 'melden' (to announce).
Yes, though it's slightly redundant as 'meld' already implies 'together'. It's an accepted collocation used for emphasis (e.g., 'The colours melded together seamlessly').