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 the furnace to produce steel. [smelted: verb]
Example
The smelted copper was then cast into molds to create various products. [smelted: past participle]
refine
Example
The crude oil was refined into gasoline and other petroleum products. [refined: verb]
Example
The company refined their marketing strategy to better target their audience. [refined: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Refine is more commonly used than smelted in everyday language. Refine is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while smelted is less common and refers specifically to the process of extracting metal from ore.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between smelted and refine?
Both smelted and refine are associated with formal and technical language, as they are essential processes in manufacturing and industry.
