chromium

IPA/ˈkrəʊmiəm/
KK[krˈomiəm]IPA/ˈkrəʊmiəm/

chromium — noun

1. a hard, shiny grey metal that is one of the basic chemical elements; it does not

1.nounC1
Definition

a hard, shiny grey metal that is one of the basic chemical elements; it does not rust easily, so a thin layer of it is often put on top of other metals, and it is mixed with iron to make stainless steel.

Example

The taps in Theo's bathroom are coated with chromium to keep them shiny.

coated with chromium for surface protection

Stainless steel contains iron, carbon, and a small amount of chromium.

uncountable: 'a small amount of chromium'

Common collocations
  • pure chromium
  • a layer of chromium
  • traces of chromium
  • chromium plating

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable. Frequently appears with quantity expressions such as 'a layer of chromium', 'a small amount of chromium', or 'traces of chromium'.

Common Mistakes

My watch is made of chromiums.
My watch is made of chromium.
chromium is uncountable; never add -s.
The chair is made of chrome metal called chromium.
The chrome on the chair is a thin layer of chromium.
'chrome' is the shiny finish or coating; 'chromium' is the underlying chemical element.

Word family

  • chrome
    nounB2
  • chromatic
    adjectiveC2

Common collocations

Nouns

  • chromium plating
  • chromium oxide
  • chromium alloy

Phrases

  • a layer of chromium
  • traces of chromium
  • pure chromium

Prepositions

  • of (a layer of chromium)
  • with (coated with chromium)

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

Coined in the early 1800s from the Greek word 'chrōma', meaning 'colour'. The element was named for the bright, varied colours of its compounds rather than the silvery look of the pure metal itself.