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to steel

to steel

1 7.4
To cover something with hard metal to make it stronger or sharper
  • verb
  • /stiːl/
translation icon : revestir de acero
  • She learned how to steel the knives, making them effective for everyday cooking tasks.

Examples

  • If you regularly steel them, they keep their edge for a very long time.

    Blog text (34)
  • The method of counseling and academic sessions can also show you ways and methods to better handle your financial affairs and to steel you for a better economic future.

    Blog text (24)
  • The thing I've found most important with keeping knives sharp is something Randall mentioned earlier: steeling your knives regularly.

    Blog text (34)
  • A relationship that makes you bold while others cringe in fear; a relationship that invigorates you to action rather than passive acceptance; a relationship that empowers you, clarifies your thoughts, makes you decisive, and steels your resolve.

    Blog text (28)
  • The blacksmith decided to steel the edge of the sword for improved sharpness.

  • To ensure the tools last longer, it is essential to steel them regularly by honing the edges.

Synonyms

to plate
vsto steel
  • Specialized
37 6.2

To cover an object with a thin layer of metal

uses a specific hard metal for coating rather than any metal

Idioms

nerves of steel
  • Informal
4 5.8

The ability to stay calm and brave in dangerous or difficult situations

Phrasal Verbs

To prepare yourself to face something unpleasant or difficult

To prepare yourself mentally for something difficult or unpleasant

Get ready in your mind to face something unpleasant

to anneal the steel
  • Specialized
7.2

Heat then cool steel to make it less brittle and easier to shape

Compounds

stainless steel
  • Specialized
40 2.8

A metal that does not rust or stain

18 3.3

A factory that makes steel from raw materials

Companies and factories that make steel and things from steel

5 3.0

A flat piece of steel used to make or strengthen buildings and machines

4 3.0

A pad of thin metal strands used to clean and smooth surfaces

4 3.7

A factory where steel is made from iron and other materials

A business that makes and sells steel

3 4.9

A musical instrument with metal strings played by sliding a steel bar to make a smooth singing sound

2 3.9

A Caribbean musical instrument made from an oil barrel that you hit to make different notes

carbon steel
  • Specialized
2 3.5

A strong, hard metal made by adding carbon to iron for tools and knives

2 3.5

A dark grey color with a slight blue or purple tone

A factory where workers make steel from iron and other materials

steel trap
  • Informal
1 7.3

A very quick, sharp mind that notices things and remembers details

1 3.5

A blue color with a grey tone like a metal plate

structural steel
  • Specialized
1 3.7

Strong metal formed into beams and other shapes to support buildings

Damascus steel
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A strong, hard steel with wavy patterns often used for sword blades

Making steel from iron in large factories

1 7.5

A metal device with strong springs and sharp jaws that catches animals

1 4.1

Covered in steel to make it strong and safe

chromium steel
  • Specialized
1 5.0

Steel that contains chromium and resists rust

alloy steel
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Steel that has other metals added to make it stronger and resist rust

high-speed steel
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A very hard metal used for cutting tools that stays hard when hot

tool steel
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Hard strong steel used to make blades and parts that stay sharp

A bridge built of steel with its main support shaped like an arch

A small cleaning tool of thin metal threads used to remove dirt or smooth surfaces

tungsten steel
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A very hard metal blend that resists heat and is used for cutting tools

case-hardened steel
  • Specialized
6.7

Steel with a very hard surface and a softer inside to resist wear

chisel steel
  • Specialized
6.2

A hard strong metal used to make chisels and other cutting tools

chrome-nickel steel
  • Specialized
5.5

A strong steel alloy with chromium and nickel that resists rust and stays flexible at different temperatures

chrome-tungsten steel
  • Specialized
7.0

A strong metal made with chromium and tungsten that resists heat and wear

crucible steel
  • Specialized
8.6

High-quality steel made by melting iron with charcoal in a small metal pot so the metal becomes pure and strong

Damask steel
  • Specialized
9.9

Hard steel with a wavy pattern used to make strong, decorated sword blades

drill steel
  • Specialized
7.3

A strong metal used to make rods or bits for rock drills and dowels

austenitic steel
  • Specialized
7.3

A type of steel that does not rust easily and is not magnetic, used for medical instruments and cooking pots

7.5

Steel that contains 10–14% manganese and stands up to wear and strong impacts

eutectoid steel
  • Specialized
8.1

A type of steel that contains about 0.9% carbon and forms a fine, layered structure when it cools

low-carbon steel
  • Specialized
3.8

Steel with little carbon that is soft and easy to shape and weld

manganese steel
  • Specialized
6.5

A very hard steel with 10 to 14 percent manganese that resists wear and shock

medium steel
  • Specialized
5.7

A type of steel that is not very soft or very hard used when strength and flexibility are needed

mild steel
  • Specialized
3.7

A kind of metal with little carbon that is soft and easy to shape

molybdenum steel
  • Specialized
8.1

Very hard, strong steel used for tools and machine parts that resists wear

hard steel
  • Specialized
4.6

Steel with more carbon that is very strong and not easy to bend, often used for tools and blades

hot-work steel
  • Specialized
6.5

A type of metal that stays hard at high temperatures used to make cutting tools like drills

hyper-eutectoid steel
  • Specialized
9.5

A kind of steel with more than 0.9% carbon that has extra hard parts and resists wear

hypo-eutectoid steel
  • Specialized
8.9

A type of steel with less than 0.9% carbon that has both softer and harder parts

nickel steel
  • Specialized
4.7

Metal made by adding nickel to steel so it resists rust and is very strong

quenched steel
  • Specialized
6.9

Steel that people quickly cool in water or oil to make it hard

oil-hardened steel
  • Specialized
6.3

A type of steel cooled quickly in oil so it becomes very hard and does not wear away easily

soft-cast steel
  • Specialized
5.1

Steel with very little carbon that is easy to shape

A group of musicians who play steel pans made from oil drums

A picture printed from a steel plate with a design cut into it

steel engraving
  • Specialized
6.1

The process of cutting a design into a steel plate to make prints

A strong determination not to give up when things are hard

vanadium steel
  • Specialized
6.1

A strong steel that has vanadium added to make it harder and more heat resistant

wolfram steel
  • Specialized
8.7

A very hard metal used for tools that contains tungsten and resists heat

How Coated

to armor
  • US
2 4.8
to steel
1 7.4
to plate
  • Specialized
37 6.2
to coat
105 2.8

Surface Forms

steel infinitive
steeled past
steeled past participle
steeling present participle
steels third person singular

Etymology

To steel something (as a verb) originally meant to put a steel edge on it or cover it with steel, so the action takes its name directly from the metal steel.