ductile
DUK-tyl
/ˈdʌk.taɪl/
Capable of being drawn out into thin wire or threads without snapping; pliable and easily molded.
Refers specifically to a material's ability to undergo tensile stress (pulling forces) without fracturing.
The story behind the word. Ductile derives from Latin 'ductilis,' from 'ducere,' meaning to lead or draw. Related words like duct, conductor, and educate all share this idea of leading or drawing out.
Word relationships
- pliable: Pliable means easy to bend, whereas ductile specifically implies ability to be drawn into thin threads under tension.
- brittle: Brittle materials snap instantly under pulling force, whereas ductile materials stretch elongated before breaking.
Commonly confused with
- malleable: Ductile responds to pulling/stretching forces (wires), malleable responds to pounding forces (sheets).
Word family
- ductility (noun): The capacity of a material to deform under tensile stress
- ductively (adverb): In a ductile fashion
Collocations
- ductile metal
- ductile iron
- ductile deformation
- highly ductile
Example sentences
- "Copper is widely used in electrical wiring because it is extraordinarily ductile and highly conductive." Materials Science
- "Deep within the Earth's mantle, rock behaves in a ductile manner under huge heat and pressure, flowing like thick paste." Geology
Memory hook
DUCTILE metal can be drawn into an air DUCT or thin wire. Draw into wire without snapping.
When not to use
Do not use to describe flat sheets pounded by hammers—that is malleability.
Fun facts
- Platinum is so ductile that a single ounce can be drawn into a wire stretching over 50 miles long without breaking.
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