metalloid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “metalloid” mean?
A chemical element with properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical element with properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals.
Any substance or material exhibiting characteristics of both a metal and a nonmetal; in a broader sense, something that is borderline or hybrid in nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage between British and American English for this term.
Connotations
Scientifically neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Used with identical rarity in academic and technical contexts in both dialects; virtually absent from everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “metalloid” in a Sentence
[determiner] + metalloid + (of + [element/property])metalloid + noun (attributive use)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metalloid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sample exhibited distinct metalloid properties.
American English
- They studied the metalloid behavior of the new compound.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in highly specific industries like semiconductor manufacturing or advanced materials.
Academic
Common in chemistry, materials science, and physics textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare; the concept is unfamiliar to most non-specialists.
Technical
The primary register; used precisely to classify elements and describe their hybrid properties in engineering and scientific discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metalloid”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metalloid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metalloid”
- Misspelling as 'metaloid' (dropping one 'l').
- Using it as a synonym for 'alloy' (an alloy is a mixture of metals, not a type of element).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, under standard classifications, carbon is a nonmetal. Although graphite (a form of carbon) conducts electricity, this does not reclassify the element itself as a metalloid.
The number is not fixed by a single official definition, but the six elements most consistently classified as metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium.
Yes, it is commonly used attributively (e.g., 'metalloid character', 'metalloid element') in scientific writing.
Their semiconducting properties are fundamental to the electronics industry, forming the basis for transistors, integrated circuits, and solar cells.
A chemical element with properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals.
Metalloid is usually formal, technical in register.
Metalloid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtəlɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛt̬əlˌɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'METAL' + '-OID' (meaning 'resembling'). A metalloid resembles a metal but isn't fully one.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PERIODIC TABLE IS A MAP (with metalloids forming the border region between metals and nonmetals).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a characteristic property of a metalloid?