ductile

adjective

duc·​tile ˈdək-tᵊl 

-ˌtī(-ə)l

1

of a metal : capable of being drawn out (see draw entry 1 sense 15) into wire or thread

ductile iron

2

: easily led or influenced

a vast portion of the public feels rather than thinks, a ductile multitude drawn easily by the arts of the demagogue

—Amy Loveman

3

: capable of being fashioned into a new form

Choose the Right Synonym for ductile

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature.

plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Examples of ductile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The web-like blue and gold dial is housed in a 40mm case made of tantalum, a very hard, ductile, lustrous, blue-gray transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Here, at least, the performers — who include Téa Leoni as Odell’s wife, the very funny Will Poulter as the Leopold son and Anthony Carrigan as a put-upon servant — have the kinds of ductile faces, rubber-band moves and vocal dexterity that can keep even sluggish material moving. —Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

The order, unanimously approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, directs the utility to retire the remaining 1,000 miles of aging leak-prone cast iron and ductile pipes running under Chicago by 2035. —Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

This sliding is what leads to the material being ductile (able to be drawn into wires) and malleable (able to be hammered into shapes), which are characteristics of softness. —John Werner, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ductil, from Latin ductilis, from ducere — see duct entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ductile

• ductal
• intraductal

Kids Definition

ductile

adjective

duc·​tile ˈdək-tᵊl 

-ˌtīl

: capable of being drawn out (as into a wire) or hammered thin

ductile metal

ductility

ˌdək-ˈtil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

ductile

adjective

duc·​tile ˈdək-tᵊl  -ˌtīl 

: capable of being drawn out or hammered thin

ductile metal

ductility

ˌdək-ˈtil-ət-ē 

noun

plural ductilities