Molybdenum is a hard, silvery metal element with the chemical symbol Mo and atomic number 42. It is essential in modern steel alloys for strength and durability, and occurs naturally in various minerals. The name derives from the Greek molubdos, meaning lead, reflecting early confusion with lead-containing ores.
"The lab reported the sample contained trace molybdenum levels."
"Molybdenum is added to steel to improvehardness and resistance to corrosion."
"Industrial catalysts often rely on molybdenum compounds."
"Researchers study molybdenum's role in high-temperature alloys for aerospace applications."
Molybdenum’s name comes from the Greek molubdos, meaning lead, reflecting early miners’ confusion when the ore mimicked lead minerals. The term entered Latin as molybdænum, then French molybdène in the 18th century, adopting the English spelling molybdenum in the 19th century. The symbol Mo was assigned from the first two letters of its element name. The element was isolated in the late 18th century by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele and later by Peter Jacob Hjelm, with the isolation culminating in 1781.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Molybdenum" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Molybdenum" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Molybdenum" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Molybdenum"
-oom sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce as /məˈlɪb.də.nəm/. The primary stress is on the second syllable: mo-LYB-de-num. Start with a schwa /mə/, then /ˈlɪb/ with a short, clipped 'li' and a light 'b' before the unstressed /də/ and /nəm/. Think “muh-LIB-duh-num” with a crisp /b/ and a clear /n/ at the end. Audio reference: consult standard dictionaries or pronunciation videos for Mo.
Common errors: 1) stressing the wrong syllable (say MO-lyb-de-num or mol-y-), 2) mispronouncing /lɪb/ as /ləb/ with a stronger schwa, 3) turning /də/ into /duː/ or /dən/. Correction tips: mark the second-syllable stress clearly: mo-LYB-de-num; keep /l/ light and /b/ unaspirated, then glide smoothly to /də/ and end with /nəm/ rather than /nom/. Listen to scientific vocabulary drills to refine the sequence.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /məˈlɪb.də.nəm/. The primary stress remains on the second syllable. Subtle differences: US tends to shorter /ə/ in the first and third syllables; UK may reduce the second vowel slightly more and keep a crisper /d/; Australian often preserves a similar rhythm but with a slightly broader vowels in /ɪ/ and /ə/. All share a non-rhotic tendency in some speakers when not in careful enunciation; the final /nəm/ is generally clear in all three.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllabic, alternating unstressed and stressed syllables and the cluster /lb/ followed by /dən/ and /əm/. The /ɪ/ in the second syllable is short and tense, while the /də/ is a quick, unstressed syllable before the /nəm/. Beginners often misplace the stress or merge /lb/ into /l/ or /d/; practice with a slow, syllable-by-syllable articulation and then speed up.
Q: Does the word’s second syllable reliably bear primary stress in all contexts, including rapid speech? A: Yes—the primary stress remains on the second syllable /ˈlɪb/ across formal and informal speech. In fast speech, you might reduce surrounding vowels slightly, but the /ˈlɪb/ remains the anchor. Practicing with sentence contexts helps ensure you retain the stress pattern.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Molybdenum"!
No related words found
