infusible

infusible — adjective

  • infusiblepositive
  • more infusiblecomparative
  • most infusiblesuperlative

1. describes a solid substance that does not become liquid when heated, no matter h

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

describes a solid substance that does not become liquid when heated, no matter how high the temperature goes — instead, it either stays unchanged or breaks down chemically before melting.

Example

Hiro tested the new ceramic compound and found it infusible even at 2,000 degrees Celsius.

pattern: found + [noun] + infusible

The mineral samples from the volcanic crater proved infusible in the laboratory furnace.

pattern: proved + infusible

Common collocations
  • infusible material
  • infusible substance
  • infusible mineral
  • infusible ceramic
  • infusible compound
  • infusible nature
Synonyms
  • unmeltable

    less formal and more direct; works in everyday language about plastics or candle wax

  • non-fusible

    alternative technical term, especially in alloy and metal specifications

  • refractory

    narrower and more formal; used for industrial ceramics and furnace linings that withstand extreme heat without changing

Antonyms
  • fusible

    describes a substance that can be melted by heating

  • meltable

    less formal alternative to fusible

Grammar Patterns

proved + infusible

remained + infusible

found + [noun] + infusible

Usage Note

Primarily used in technical and scientific writing, especially in materials science, geology, and chemistry. Do not confuse with 'inflammable' (easily set on fire) or 'infusible' used in medicine, where it means 'capable of being infused' (from a different Latin root).

Common Mistakes

This ceramic is infusible, so it cannot be fused in the furnace.
This ceramic is infusible, so it stays solid in the furnace.
The word 'fused' repeats the meaning of 'infusible'; replace it with a different verb like 'stays solid'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe a material that resists melting, but they differ in register and scope. 'Unmeltable' is the most general and least formal — a cook might say 'this plastic container is practically unmeltable' in everyday conversation. 'Infusible' is the standard technical term in chemistry and materials science; it often carries the implication that the substance decomposes before it could melt. 'Non-fusible' appears mainly in alloy and metal specifications as a more systematic alternative. 'Refractory' is the narrowest, used primarily for industrial ceramics and furnace linings that withstand not just high temperature but also thermal shock and chemical corrosion. For example, a refractory brick can hold molten steel without softening, while an infusible mineral might simply char and crumble before any melting occurs.

unmeltablenon-fusiblerefractory ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • proved infusible
  • remained infusible
  • found to be infusible

Prepositions

  • at [temperature]
  • under [conditions]
  • to [heat]

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From the Latin prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' combined with 'fusible', which comes from Latin 'fusus' (poured, melted), the past participle of 'fundere' (to pour, melt). The word entered English in the early 17th century as a technical term in alchemy and later in metallurgy and materials science.

First known use

1555

1555, in the meaning defined above