Skip to main content
amalgam

amalgam

9 6.8
A mixture of different ideas or styles
  • noun
  • /əˈmælɡəm/
translation icon : mezcla
  • The festival was an amalgam of different cultures, showcasing food, music, and traditions from around the world.
  • an amalgam of art
  • becomes an amalgam

And so we're all this amalgam of good and bad.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Social innovation, like mechanical invention, is rarely new but is the amalgam of pre-existing parts in a new combination.

    Academic text (1992)
  • In their feasting, dancing, and processions, their religion becomes an amalgam of prayer, worship, and social celebrations.

    Academic text (2006)
  • So the world we live in, then, is an amalgam of ideas.

  • And so we're all this amalgam of good and bad.

  • Is that my hand or is that my voice, or is it a weird amalgam of both?

  • So we have this amalgam of words that track those seven days of the week, OK.

  • The skeleton at the National Museum of Natural History is the amalgam of bones from as many as 15 individuals.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Ecological engineering is an amalgam of several fields dealing with ecosystem restoration and creation.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Alma Guillermo Prieto brings a unique amalgam of qualities to her life and work.

  • Cognitive versatility is an amalgam of many of the positive traits associated with persons with superior intellect.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

mix
vsamalgam
276 1.0

A group of different things or people that are together

stresses variety among ideas, styles, or different components
blend
vsamalgam
98 2.3

A mix of different things, like colors or spices

focuses more on varied ideas, styles, or components
a mix of
vsamalgam
58 1.8

Different things put together form one thing

focuses on combining ideas, styles, or components specifically
mixture
vsamalgam
58 1.2

An action that brings two or more things together

emphasizes varied ideas, styles, or components rather than general combining
blend of
vsamalgam
40 2.8

A mix of different things like styles or flavors

highlights mixtures of ideas, styles, or components specifically
hodgepodge
vsamalgam
14 7.3

A messy mixture of different things thrown together

is more neutral and denotes an intentional mix rather than chaos
melange
vsamalgam
1 8.2

A mixture of different things, often very varied and unexpected

is more neutral and not necessarily incongruous in composition
admixture
vsamalgam
1 8.1

Something added to another thing to mix with it

refers instead to an overall mix of different elements or styles
intermixture
vsamalgam
7.0

Different things joined together to make one thing

emphasizes the mix of ideas, styles, or components rather than substances
commixture
vsamalgam
9.7

Putting different things together to make one thing

focuses more on combined ideas, styles, or components than process
6.8

A mixture of many bright, different parts like colors and sounds

is more general and not focused on vivid or colorful parts
mingle-mangle
vsamalgam
  • Archaic
9.9

A confused mix of different things like old toys and books

is a neutral term for a purposeful mixture of elements
gallimaufry of flavors
vsamalgam
  • Archaic
9.5

A mixed collection of tastes from many places

applies broadly beyond taste to ideas, styles, or components

Compounds

dental amalgam
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A mix of mercury and other metals used by dentists to fill cavities in teeth

How Mixed

synthesis
14 6.2
fusion
33 4.1
amalgam
9 6.8
blend
98 2.3
mixture
  • Specialized
55 3.5

Surface Forms

amalgam singular
amalgams plural

Etymology

Amalgam originally named a 'soft mass' of mixed metals and now also means a mixture of different ideas or styles. It is the same root as the verb amalgamate ('to mix together'), so an amalgam is a blended mix of parts.