fuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fuse' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the combination of two or more elements that result in a single entity or concept. For example, "The merger of two large companies is a successful example of a corporate fuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The files compiled by law enforcement and prosecutors were a burning fuse: they claimed to expose a vast network of organised crime, with evidence of bribery, abuse of power and widespread corruption at the very highest echelons of power.Corruption of the nation's media was at the heart of these allegations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Frenchman had a thoroughly unhappy evening: from the outset he was complaining about some of the tackling he received and when Shaw caught him from behind in the 48th minute the notoriously short Gallic fuse was reignited.

The Guardian - Sport

Being steady under pressure is one of Cameron's better attributes, though he does seem to have a short fuse (not the same thing).

The Guardian

Perhaps that quarrel was the spark that lit the fuse of this week's poem?

The Guardian - Books

You'd hit the sand, get up and run a little bit more, hide behind one of those obstacles, put a bit of the explosive under it and fuse it and go on.

The Guardian

At 28 he was voted the best young chef in the world after a two-day cook out which saw him fuse Russian and Italian ingredients.

The Guardian

Another way that student houses challenge our survival skills is with their faulty fuse boxes.

The Guardian

In Mr Goodman's view, the children of Abraham's revelation are too bitterly divided among themselves to fuse seamlessly with anyone or anything.

The Economist

A year ago, he angrily stormed out of an interview with this newspaper when he was asked about his plans in this area.One reason for Mr Jobs's short fuse may be that Apple's relatively skinny research and development budget has to work much harder than those of competitors who benefit from the huge spending of Microsoft and Intel.

The Economist

In 2007 Warren Buffett told shareholders that public-sector pension funding was inadequate, and called it a time bomb with a long fuse.

The Economist

Each side prefers to denounce the other, reinforcing the very polarisation that is preventing progress.Fixed today, hobbled tomorrowOptimists will point out that America is unlikely to face a European-style debt crisis in the near future, but the slow-burning fuse is itself a problem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fuse" in technical contexts, ensure clarity about whether you're referring to electrical components or the process of joining materials. Provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid confusing "fuse" (to join or melt) with "fuze" (a device to detonate an explosive). While they are homophones, their meanings are distinct, and using the wrong one can lead to serious misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The word "fuse" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a safety device in electrical circuits or a cord used to ignite explosives. As a verb, it describes the act of joining or blending elements, supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "fuse" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, commonly used across various contexts from electrical engineering to culinary arts. As Ludwig AI points out, it correctly refers to the act of blending or a safety mechanism. While "fuse" and "fuze" are homophones, they have distinct meanings, and it’s crucial to use them appropriately. The term enjoys a neutral register and high frequency, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. Use "fuse" to effectively communicate ideas of joining, combining, or preventing electrical overloads.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merge together

Emphasizes the result of combining into a single entity.

blend

Focuses on a smooth mixture where individual components are indistinguishable.

meld

Implies a harmonious combination of elements.

unite

Highlights the act of joining for a common purpose or goal.

amalgamate

Suggests a formal or structured combination of entities.

coalesce

Refers to elements coming together to form a single mass or body.

integrate

Focuses on incorporating different parts into a functional whole.

intermix

Highlights the act of mixing elements together.

combine forces

Suggests a cooperative effort to achieve a shared objective.

connect

Simple and direct way of describing joining of two or more entities.

FAQs

How do you use "fuse" in a sentence?

You can use "fuse" to describe the process of joining things together, such as "The chef likes to "fuse different cuisines"", or in reference to an electrical safety device, such as "The "fuse blew", causing a power outage".

What is the difference between "fuse" and "fuze"?

"Fuse" generally refers to the act of joining or blending something together, or an electrical safety device. "Fuze" specifically refers to the component that initiates the detonation of an explosive device.

What can I say instead of "fuse" when talking about combining ideas?

You can use alternatives like "integrate", "blend", or "meld" to describe the combination of ideas or concepts.

Is it correct to say "fuse together"?

While "fuse" inherently implies joining, using "fuse together" is acceptable for emphasis, although it can be considered slightly redundant. It is more common to simply use "fuse".