Pronunciation: [mˈaləbə͡l] (IPA) 
"Malleable" is a word that means easily shaped or molded. Its spelling might seem confusing, but it follows the principle of English pronunciation where "e" is usually silent at the end of a word. The IPA phonetic transcription for "malleable" is /ˈmælɪəbəl/. This means that the word begins with the "m" sound, followed by "æ" as in "cat", "l" and "ɪ" as in "sit", "ə" as in "a" and "b" and "l" as in "ball". The final "e" is silent.
Malleable is an adjective that describes the property or characteristic of being easily manipulated, shaped, or molded without breaking or cracking. It refers to a material or substance that is pliable or capable of being hammered or pressed into different shapes without losing its structural integrity. This term is often used in scientific, engineering, or metallurgical contexts to describe the physical properties of a material.
In a figurative sense, malleable can also be used to describe a person or their character, suggesting that they are adaptable or easily influenced. It implies a flexibility of thought, opinions, or beliefs, indicating that they can be shaped or influenced by external factors, experiences, or persuasive arguments.
For example, in the field of metallurgy, gold is often regarded as a highly malleable metal due to its ability to be shaped into intricate designs or thin sheets. Similarly, clay is considered malleable because it can be easily molded into various forms before being fired into a solid ceramic object.
In terms of character, a person who is described as malleable would typically be someone who readily accepts new ideas or suggestions, and is open to change or influence from others. This can be seen as a positive trait, as it indicates adaptability and openness to growth and learning. However, it can also have negative connotations if used to imply that someone lacks strong convictions or principles of their own, constantly changing their beliefs or opinions based on the influence of others.
Capable of being beaten out into a thin plate, noting certain metals such as gold and silver.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
That may be drawn out or extended by hammering.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "malleable" is derived from the Latin word "malleus", which means "hammer". The suffix "-able" is added to the root word to indicate the ability or capacity for something. Therefore, "malleable" literally means "able to be hammered". This reflects the idea that a malleable material can be easily shaped or molded by hammering or similar means, emphasizing its ability to change form without breaking. Over time, "malleable" came to be used metaphorically in a broader sense, referring to someone or something that is flexible, adaptable, or easily influenced.
