metallize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Rare (Specialist Technical Term)Formal, Technical, Scientific, Industrial
Quick answer
What does “metallize” mean?
To coat, treat, or impregnate with a metal or metallic compound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To coat, treat, or impregnate with a metal or metallic compound.
To make something resemble metal in appearance, properties, or character; to confer metallic qualities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. British English may show a slight preference for the spelling 'metallise', but 'metallize' is standard in international technical contexts. The -ize suffix is widely accepted in both.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Exclusively found in engineering, materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing texts. US usage might be marginally higher due to larger aerospace/tech industry discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “metallize” in a Sentence
[NP] metallize [NP] (transitive)[NP] be metallized with [Metal/Compound] (passive)[Process] is used to metallize [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metallize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The laboratory aims to metallize lightweight polymers for aerospace applications.
- They metallise the fibres to create conductive textiles.
- This process can effectively metallise almost any substrate.
American English
- The company developed a new method to metallize plastic components cheaply.
- The film is metallized in a vacuum chamber to create the reflective layer.
- We need to metallize this circuit board for better conductivity.
adverb
British English
- The surface was treated metallisingly to enhance adhesion. (Extremely rare/constructed)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. 'In a metallized way' is not used.)
adjective
British English
- The metallised layer proved highly durable.
- They ordered a roll of metallised polyester film.
- Metallised fabrics are used in specialised clothing.
American English
- The metallized coating prevented corrosion.
- Metallized packaging helps keep food fresh.
- The capacitor uses a metallized film dielectric.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in procurement or R&D contexts for specialized materials, e.g., 'The contract is for metallized polymer films.'
Academic
Common in materials science, engineering, and physics papers describing fabrication processes, e.g., 'The silicon wafer was then metallized with aluminium.'
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson would say 'coated with metal' or 'metal-plated'.
Technical
The primary domain. Used precisely for processes like PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), sputtering, and electroplating to apply thin metallic films onto substrates like plastics, glass, or textiles.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metallize”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metallize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metallize”
- Using 'metallize' to mean 'to turn into metal' (alchemy) instead of 'to coat with metal'.
- Confusing with 'metallic' as an adjective.
- Misspelling as 'metalize' (one 'l' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar, but 'metal-plate' often implies a thicker, more structural coating (like chrome plating), while 'metallize' is a broader term that includes very thin film coatings (like on crisp packets or capacitors).
No, this is a technical term for physical processes. To describe a voice becoming hard or cold, you would use adjectives like 'metallic-toned' or metaphors, not the verb 'metallize'.
The most common noun is 'metallization' (or 'metallisation'). It refers to the process or the result, e.g., 'The metallization of the plastic was successful.'
In British English, 'metallise' is an accepted variant, but in international scientific and technical publishing, the '-ize' spelling ('metallize') is often the standard, even in the UK.
To coat, treat, or impregnate with a metal or metallic compound.
Metallize is usually formal, technical, scientific, industrial in register.
Metallize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtəlaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛt̬əlaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. Technical term does not generate idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a metal lizard ('metal' + 'lies/lizard') crawling over an object, covering it with a shiny metallic skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING/COVERING (To metallize is to dress or cloak an object in a skin of metal.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'metallize' most accurately used?