What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smelted
Example
The iron ore was smelted in a furnace to produce iron. [smelted: past tense]
Example
The company smelted the copper to remove impurities and create a purer product. [smelted: verb]
melt
Example
The ice cream started to melt in the sun. [melt: verb]
Example
She melted the chocolate in a double boiler. [melted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Melt is more commonly used than smelted in everyday language. Melt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while smelted is less common and refers specifically to the process of extracting metal from its ore.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smelted and melt?
Both smelted and melt can be used in formal and informal contexts, but smelted may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing due to its specific meaning and usage in the field of metallurgy.
