malleability
gb/mˌæliəbˈɪləti/ us/mˌæliəbˈɪləti/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
C1
property
1
ability to be shaped easily
how easily a material can be shaped without breaking
Usage pattern:
the malleability of [material]
Common mistake:
Malleability is about being shaped (hammered/pressed), not about stretching into wire (that is ductility).
Synonyms
plasticity (More general term for being able to be permanently shaped.)
|
formability (Often used in manufacturing for how easily a material can be formed.)
Antonyms
brittleness (Tendency to crack or break instead of deforming.)
|
rigidity (Resistance to being bent or reshaped.)
Collocations
high malleability
|low malleability
|the malleability of gold
|the malleability of copper
|increase malleability
|test malleability
|malleability and ductility
|malleability of an alloy
|improve malleability
|measure malleability
Themes
materials
|manufacturing
|science
|engineering
Examples
- Gold’s malleability allows it to be hammered into extremely thin sheets.
- The alloy’s malleability improves when it is heated.
- Engineers chose copper because its malleability makes it easy to shape.
Learner examples
- This metal has good malleability.
- Heat can increase malleability.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
ease of being influenced or changed
how easy it is to change someone or something
Usage pattern:
the malleability of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Don’t use malleability to mean only 'adaptability'; it often also implies being shaped by outside influence.
Synonyms
flexibility (More neutral; focuses on ability to change rather than being shaped by others.)
|
pliability (Often suggests being easily influenced or controlled.)
|
susceptibility (Usually negative; emphasizes vulnerability to influence.)
Antonyms
inflexibility (Unwillingness or inability to change.)
|
stubbornness (Resistance to being influenced or persuaded.)
Collocations
the malleability of the mind
|the malleability of memory
|cognitive malleability
|emotional malleability
|social malleability
|cultural malleability
|political malleability
|malleability to suggestion
|greater malleability
|limited malleability
Themes
psychology
|education
|business
|society
Examples
- Researchers studied the malleability of memory under stress.
- Children show more malleability in their habits and beliefs than adults do.
- The group’s malleability made it easy for a charismatic leader to shape their views.
Learner examples
- Young people often have more malleability.
- Stress can affect the malleability of memory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
malleability
IPA
GB/mˌæliəbˈɪləti/
US/mˌæliəbˈɪləti/
Syllables & stress
mal - le - ab - il - ity (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ab)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: malleability
- Plural: malleability
Word family
Core family
malleable
adjective C1
Related words
malleably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unmalleable
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.