ductile
What does "ductile" mean?
Ductile describes a material that can be stretched into a thin wire or shaped without breaking. Think of a piece of metal like copper or gold being pulled through a narrow opening; instead of snapping like a brittle piece of glass, it flows and elongates under tension. In a broader, metaphorical sense, the word is used to describe people or systems that are easily influenced, pliable, or adaptable. While its primary home is in metallurgy and engineering, you might hear it used to describe a "ductile personality" to suggest someone who is flexible and easily molded by their environment.
"ductile" in conversation
Engineering lab
Is this alloy brittle or ductile?
Is this alloy brittle or ductile?
It's highly ductile; we can draw it into extremely fine wires without it snapping.
It's highly ductile; we can draw it into extremely fine wires without it snapping.
Used here in its literal, technical sense regarding physical properties.
Office meeting
We need a team that is ductile enough to handle these constant strategy shifts.
We need a team that is ductile enough to handle these constant strategy shifts.
I think we have the right people; everyone is very adaptable.
I think we have the right people; everyone is very adaptable.
Used metaphorically to describe a team's flexibility.
"ductile" in a sentence
Copper is a ductile metal used in electrical wiring.
Copper is a ductile metal used in electrical wiring.
The engineer tested the steel to see how ductile it would remain under extreme pressure.
The engineer tested the steel to see how ductile it would remain under extreme pressure.
Her ductile nature allowed her to thrive in the chaotic, ever-changing environment of the startup.
Her ductile nature allowed her to thrive in the chaotic, ever-changing environment of the startup.
