rustless

1 4.5

Metal that has no rust, like tools or nails

adjective
/ˈrʌstləs/

: inoxidable

The old bicycle looked as good as new because it had rustless parts that never deteriorated.

Examples

Thanks to the rustless coating, the garden tools maintained their shine and usability for years.
It was extremely well-kept with a pleasing luster on its dark green bars and oil bath and a clean sparkle on the rustless spokes and rims.

Academic text (1999)
The car's rustless frame made it an excellent choice for the coastal climate where corrosion is common.

Synonyms

rustproof

vsrustless

1 4.2

Treated so metal does not get red-brown flakes and holes

is a current condition of having no corrosion rather than prevention

rust-free

vsrustless

1 2.8

A metal thing that has no rust

is the unhyphenated or alternative written form with identical meaning

uncorroded

vsrustless

1 6.0

Free from rust or damage by chemicals

is focused on lack of surface corrosion rather than general undamaged state

rustproofed

vsrustless

1 4.6

Treated so metal does not rust

is the present state of no corrosion instead of protective treatment

Antonyms

rusted

37 1.0

Covered in reddish-brown flakes that form on metal

rusty

3 1.3

Having a red-brown color like old iron

How Rusty

corroded

11 5.8

rusty

54 2.1

rust-resistant

1 3.9

rustproof

1 4.2

rustless

1 4.5

Surface Forms

rustless positive

Morphology

rustless = rust (transparent) = rust + less

The adjective is directly formed by the productive suffix '-less' meaning 'without', yielding 'without rust', which is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

Rustless is made of rust, the red flaky stuff that forms on iron, and the ending -less meaning 'without', like in hopeless. So, rustless simply means 'without rust' and is used for metal that does not get rusty.