malleability

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "malleability" is correct and usable in written English.
Malleability is a noun that refers to the ability of something to be shaped and changed. Example sentence: The malleability of metal is what allows it to be molded into a variety of shapes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The extraordinary malleability of our expressed preferences in the face of trivial alterations in the choice context sits uneasily with the idea that there is such a thing as "what the American people want", the job of our political system being (ideally) to discern what this is and bring it about.

The Economist

Another more recent ancestor, Ercole, revived Venetian glassblowing in the early 20th century, using the malleability of glass to transform it into myriad new forms, from mosaic patterns to sculptures and delicate vessels as ephemeral as air.

The Economist

The site's administrators blamed transaction malleability for the hack.Mike Hearn, a prominent Bitcoin developer, says the flaw is far from fatal.

The Economist

The flaw, known as "transaction malleability", muddles up the ledger so that successful Bitcoin payments do not appear to have been made.

The Economist

When the priest proposes an annulment, she shrieks "Father, that's impossible we have children!" So Mrozek lays bare civilian gullibility, the church's impotence and the malleability of Poland's men.

The Economist

Even if hardware tends to become a commodity over time, software seems, like music or poetry, to have infinite potential for innovation and malleability.

The Economist

Indeed, Bitcoin's programmers have known about transaction malleability since 2011.

The Economist

And they are getting squishier as the use of estimates in company accounts increases.Whether this malleability is a problem is the subject of heated debate and carries with it important consequences.

The Economist

Olympus, and the response of Japanese officialdom, is less about a single sad incident as it is a view about the malleability of rules, and the subjectivity of their enforcement.

The Economist

A few days later two European Bitcoin exchanges reported a similar "transaction malleability" issue.It emerged that Britain's Serious Fraud Office had searched several addresses in London and arrested two people in relation to its investigation into alleged bribery by employees of Rolls-Royce.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That missive was sent shortly before Mt. Gox's Web site went down, and a document turned up online that claimed more than seven hundred thousand bitcoins had gone missing from Mt. Gox "due to malleability-related theft".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing material properties, use "malleability" to specifically denote the ability to deform under compressive stress, distinguishing it from ductility (tensile stress) and flexibility (bending without breaking).

Common error

Avoid using "malleability" and "ductility" interchangeably. "Malleability" refers to the ability to deform under compression (e.g., hammering), while "ductility" refers to the ability to be stretched into a wire. Use the term that accurately describes the deformation process.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "malleability" is as a noun. It denotes a quality or state, specifically the extent to which something is malleable. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in describing material properties and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

32%

News & Media

31%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malleability" is a noun describing the ability of a substance or concept to be easily shaped or altered. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct, commonly used, and applicable across diverse contexts such as material science, abstract planning, and human character. It’s important to distinguish it from related terms like ductility, though sometimes both terms might be used metaphorically.

Ludwig's AI provides further validation. The best practice is to use "malleability" to describe deformation under compression. A common mistake is to confuse it with ductility. The word appears frequently in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. Top authoritative sources employing the term include Encyclopedia Britannica and The Economist, demonstrating its acceptance in professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pliability

This alternative emphasizes the ease with which something can be bent or influenced.

plasticity

This highlights the capacity of a material to be deformed permanently without rupture.

flexibility

This refers to the quality of being easily modified or adapted.

adaptability

This focuses on the ability to adjust to new conditions.

workability

This emphasizes the ease with which a material can be worked or shaped.

ductility

Specifically refers to the ability of a material to be drawn into a wire.

formability

This highlights the capacity to be formed into a particular shape.

shapability

This refers to the ability to be easily shaped.

tractability

This implies ease of being handled or dealt with, sometimes in a figurative sense.

susceptibility to change

This alternative explicitly describes the potential for alteration or modification.

FAQs

How is "malleability" different from ductility?

"Malleability" refers to a material's ability to deform under compressive stress (being hammered into sheets), while ductility is its ability to be stretched into a wire. Though related, they describe different types of deformation.

What materials are known for their high "malleability"?

Gold, lead, and aluminum are well-known for their high "malleability", making them suitable for applications where shaping without fracturing is essential. Other examples include silver and copper.

Can "malleability" be used in contexts other than material science?

Yes, "malleability" can be used metaphorically to describe the ability of abstract concepts like plans or ideas to be easily reshaped or adapted. For example, you could say "The "flexibility" of the strategy was its greatest strength".

What are some synonyms for "malleability"?

Synonyms for "malleability" include "pliability", "plasticity", and "flexibility". The best choice depends on the specific context in which you're using the word.