melter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Industrial, Informal (extended meaning)
Quick answer
What does “melter” mean?
A person or machine that melts something, especially metal or glass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or machine that melts something, especially metal or glass.
A situation or factor that causes something to dissolve, disintegrate, or become emotionally overwhelming.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core industrial meaning. The figurative use ('a real melter of a story') is slightly more common in UK informal speech.
Connotations
Industrial: neutral. Figurative: can imply something sentimentally potent or emotionally draining.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language; higher in specific industrial sectors like foundries or glassworks.
Grammar
How to Use “melter” in a Sentence
[melter] of [material][material] melterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “melter” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The new electric melter in the foundry has improved efficiency.
- He's been a glass melter for twenty years.
- That puppy's eyes are a proper heart melter.
American English
- The induction melter handles the alloy scrap.
- She worked as a melter at the steel plant.
- The finale of the show was a real tear-melter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to capital equipment in manufacturing cost reports.
Academic
Used in materials science, metallurgy, and industrial engineering papers.
Everyday
Rare. Possibly in figurative sense: 'That film was a real heart-melter.'
Technical
Precise term for a specific type of furnace or reactor in a process line.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “melter”
- Using 'melter' for a kitchen appliance (use 'melting pot' or 'fondue set').
- Confusing 'melter' (thing/person) with 'melting' (process).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency word, mostly used in specific industrial contexts or as informal figurative language.
A 'melter' generally liquefies a material. A 'smelter' specifically extracts metal from ore by melting, often involving chemical processes. They can overlap.
No, 'melter' is only a noun. The verb is 'to melt'.
It's more common to say 'ice melt' (product) or 'de-icer'. 'Ice melter' is understandable but not the standard term.
A person or machine that melts something, especially metal or glass.
Melter is usually technical/industrial, informal (extended meaning) in register.
Melter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛltə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛltər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not a common idiom source]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'MELT' + 'ER' (person/thing that does the action). Like a 'baker' bakes, a 'melter' melts.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS HEAT / LIQUID: A 'heart-melter' makes emotions 'flow' like a melted substance.
Practice
Quiz
In an informal context, what can 'a melter' refer to?