Reading Theme:
Malleable: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：easily influenced (malleable)
malleable
/ˈmæliəb(ə)l/
adj.
Describing someone whose opinions or character are easily shaped or influenced by others.
easily influenced
➕
/ˈiːzəli ˈɪnfluənst/
adj.
Refers to a person, especially their character or opinions, being easily shaped, changed, or influenced by external forces or other people.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'malleus' (hammer) + '-abilis' (able to), meaning 'able to be hammered'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a MALlet (from 'malleable') shaping metal or minds - both are MALLEABLE.
📖 Example
Teenagers are often malleable, so the music and friends they choose can really shape their tastes for years to come.
Teenagers are often easily influenced, so the music and friends they choose can really shape their tastes for years to come.
🔗 Collocations
malleable personality – a character that is easily shaped or changed
malleable mind – a mind open to new ideas and influence
highly malleable – very easily shaped or influenced
🔄 Synonyms
suggestible (adj.) – easily influenced by suggestions or ideas from others
impressionable (adj.) – easily influenced, especially because of youth
pliable (adj.) – easily bent or influenced; flexible
🚫 Antonyms
stubborn (adj.) – determined not to change one's attitude or position
inflexible (adj.) – unwilling to change or be influenced
unyielding (adj.) – not giving way to pressure or influence
📖 Cultural Story
The word traces back to Latin 'malleus' (hammer). It entered English via Old French 'malleable' in the 14th century, initially describing metals like gold that could be hammered thin. This concrete meaning later extended metaphorically to describe minds or opinions that are easily shaped.
Meaning 2：easily shaped (malleable)
malleable
/ˈmæliəb(ə)l/
adj.
Describing a material that can be pressed or hammered into a new shape without breaking.
easily shaped
➕
/ˈiːzəli ʃeɪpt/
adj.
Refers to a physical material that can be pressed, hammered, rolled, or bent into a new shape without cracking or breaking.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The artist chose a special, malleable clay so she could easily mold it into delicate flower petals.
The artist chose a special, easily shaped clay so she could easily mold it into delicate flower petals.
🔗 Collocations
malleable metal – metal that can be hammered or pressed into shape
malleable material – a substance that can be deformed without fracture
sufficiently malleable – soft or pliable enough to be worked into a form
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
brittle (adj.) – hard but liable to break or shatter easily
rigid (adj.) – unable to bend or be forced out of shape
inflexible (adj.) – not able to be bent or shaped
🌱 Derivatives
malleability (n.) – the quality of being malleable
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