ductile

USAGE SUMMARY

"ductile" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is capable of being drawn out into a thin wire, or that is easily shaped or influenced. For example, "The ductile clay was easy to mold into any shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Key parts of these structures, such as the floor-pan and the door pillars, involve complicated pressings for which steel, a ductile alloy, is well suited.

The Economist

Aesthetically, the final product is similar to stucco or adobe, but because its components clay, gravel, straw and netting are more flexible than brick, concrete or steel, it is much more ductile and thus better able to absorb seismic energy.California, of course, is already thoroughly earthquake-proofed.

The Economist

But aluminium is not so ductile, and cannot easily be pressed into strong monocoques.

The Economist

Nothing else was quite as malleable, ductile and plentiful.

The Economist

He would stretch the H-section lead strips, or cames, to stop "creep" in the soft, ductile metal; cut them expertly straight with his pliers, so as to leave no gaps between them when they were moulded round the glass pieces; apply the hot chisel-tip of the soldering iron just long enough to melt the solder, not the lead, when joining the strips together.

The Economist

A ductile, silvery white metal usually with dull lustre owing to a surface film of aluminum oxide, aluminum is light, weighing approximately one-third as much as an equal volume of copper or steel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gold is at once the most malleable and the most ductile of metals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under suitable conditions (80 °C and 1 atmosphere), palladium absorbs more than 900 times its own volume of hydrogen; it expands and becomes harder, stronger, and less ductile in the process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tin is nontoxic, ductile, malleable, and adapted to all kinds of cold-working, such as rolling, spinning, and extrusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rocks, which are typically brittle at the Earth's surface, can undergo ductile deformation when buried and subjected to increased confining pressure and temperature for long periods of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

One small investor in the beachside town of Yantai, in Shandong province, says he bought his first shares (in Xinxing Ductile Iron Pipes) in 2005 at his brother's urging.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing materials, consider "ductility" alongside other properties like strength and hardness for a comprehensive characterization.

Common error

Don't assume "ductile" and malleable are interchangeable. "Ductility" specifically refers to the ability to be drawn into a wire, while malleability refers to being hammered into thin sheets. A material can be one, both, or neither.

Linguistic Context

The word "ductile" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their ability to be drawn into a wire or deformed without fracturing. Ludwig confirms that "ductile" is a correct and usable adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

40%

News & Media

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "ductile" describes a material's ability to be drawn into a wire or deformed without fracturing. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English. It is frequently used in scientific and technical contexts, as well as in news and media when describing material properties. Related terms include "malleable", "pliable", and "flexible", each with slightly different nuances. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing "ductility" with malleability. The word appears most often in Encyclopedias and News & Media. Given the widespread use and clear definition, "ductile" is a valuable term for describing material characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malleable

Focuses on the ability to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking.

pliable

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be bent or influenced.

flexible

Highlights the capacity to bend easily without breaking, applicable to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

tractable

Stresses the ease of being controlled or influenced.

plastic

Indicates the ability to be molded or shaped, often referring to materials that retain their new form.

yielding

Suggests a tendency to give way under pressure or influence.

moldable

Highlights the capacity to be easily formed into a desired shape.

easily shaped

A descriptive phrase focusing on the simplicity of altering the form of something.

capable of being drawn out

Specifically refers to the ability to be stretched into a thin wire or thread.

susceptible to deformation

Emphasizes the tendency to change shape under stress or pressure.

FAQs

How is "ductile" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific contexts, "ductile" describes a material's ability to deform under tensile stress, allowing it to be stretched into a wire. Examples include "ductile metals" like gold and copper.

What are some synonyms for "ductile"?

Alternatives to "ductile" include "malleable", "pliable", and "flexible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "ductile" differ from brittle?

"Ductile" materials deform significantly before fracturing, while brittle materials fracture with little to no deformation. A "ductile material" can be bent or stretched, whereas a brittle material shatters.

Is "ductile" only used to describe metals?

While often used for metals, "ductile" can describe any material capable of significant tensile deformation. For instance, some polymers and even certain rocks under specific conditions can exhibit "ductile behavior".