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“Metal” or “Mettle”

metal / mettle are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

metal m·EH·t·ah·l

  • verbcover with metal.

mettle m·EH·t·ah·l

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“metal”

  • …slightly rounded head made of metal which is used to fasten…
  • …by one or more spun metal cones resonators instead of the…
  • …a slug, from molten type metal in a process known as…
  • …conceived the idea of assembling metallic letter molds, called matrices, and…
  • …of thin material, such as metal pipe or, in more current…
  • …consists of collections of small metal beams with regular holes for…
  • The metal plate is decorated with a…
  • …the shirt collar by a metal clip.
  • …tractor, equipped with a substantial metal plate or blade, used to…
  • …consists of a hollow cylindrical metal tube, typically brass, with the…

“mettle”

  • His mettle was tested at around midnight…
  • …mental models will prove their mettle in the earthly settings of…
  • Aparna Gopinath proves her mettle as an actress with the…
  • And once he proved his mettle in battle, he'd no doubt…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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