dross Definition
- 1something regarded as worthless; rubbish
- 2waste matter; impurities in molten metal or other material that float to the surface and are removed
Using dross: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dross" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The book is full of dross and should be avoided.
Example
The dross was skimmed off the surface of the molten metal.
Example
The company needs to eliminate the dross in their production process.
dross Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with dross
to distinguish valuable people or things from worthless ones
Example
It's important to separate the wheat from the chaff when hiring new employees.
Example
The blacksmith separated the dross metal from the pure metal.
containing a lot of dross or impurities
Example
The drossy metal was not suitable for use in the construction of the bridge.
Origins of dross
from Middle English 'dros', meaning 'the scum thrown off from metals in smelting'
Summary: dross in Brief
'Dross' [drôs, dräs] refers to something worthless or rubbish, as well as waste matter or impurities in molten metal. It can be used to describe low-quality books, products, or materials, as in 'The company needs to eliminate the dross in their production process.' The phrase 'separate the wheat from the chaff (or dross)' means to distinguish valuable people or things from worthless ones.
