What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smeltery
Example
The smeltery was shut down due to safety concerns. [smeltery: noun]
Example
They smelted the iron ore in the smeltery to extract the metal. [smelted: past tense verb]
foundry
Example
The foundry produced high-quality steel parts for the automotive industry. [foundry: noun]
Example
He worked at the foundry, pouring molten metal into molds to create sculptures. [foundry: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foundry is more commonly used than smeltery in everyday language. Foundry is a more versatile term that covers a wider range of metalworking processes, while smeltery is a more specialized term that refers specifically to the extraction and refining of metal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smeltery and foundry?
Both smeltery and foundry are formal terms used in technical and industrial contexts. However, foundry is more commonly used and may be considered less formal than smeltery due to its versatility and broader range of applications.