C1 adjective Neutral

bronze

/brɒnz/

Describing something made of or resembling the alloy of copper and tin, characterized by a yellowish-brown metallic luster. In a competitive context, it specifically refers to the third-place rank or award within a tiered system.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The sunset cast a warm bronze glow over the calm waters of the harbor.

The sunset cast a warm bronze glow over the calm waters of the harbor.

2

The institution's collection includes several significant bronze artifacts from the Shang dynasty.

The institution's collection includes several significant bronze artifacts from the Shang dynasty.

3

I've been out in the sun all day trying to get a nice bronze tan.

I've been out in the sun all day trying to get a nice bronze tan.

Word Family

Noun
bronze
Verb
bronze
Adjective
bronze
Related
bronzer
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Memory Tip

Think of the Olympic podium: Bronze is the 'B' metal for the 'Bottom' of the three winners.

Quick Quiz

The museum's grand entrance was adorned with two massive _____ lions that had turned green with age.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bronze

Examples

1

The sunset cast a warm bronze glow over the calm waters of the harbor.

everyday

The sunset cast a warm bronze glow over the calm waters of the harbor.

2

The institution's collection includes several significant bronze artifacts from the Shang dynasty.

formal

The institution's collection includes several significant bronze artifacts from the Shang dynasty.

3

I've been out in the sun all day trying to get a nice bronze tan.

informal

I've been out in the sun all day trying to get a nice bronze tan.

4

Metallurgical analysis reveals that the bronze alloy used in these tools contains approximately ten percent tin.

academic

Metallurgical analysis reveals that the bronze alloy used in these tools contains approximately ten percent tin.

5

Our bronze package provides entry-level access to the software suite and email-only support.

business

Our bronze package provides entry-level access to the software suite and email-only support.

Word Family

Noun
bronze
Verb
bronze
Adjective
bronze
Related
bronzer

Common Collocations

bronze medal bronze medal
bronze statue bronze statue
bronze age bronze age
bronze plaque bronze plaque
bronze skin bronze skin

Common Phrases

bronze medal finish

bronze medal finish

bronze age

bronze age

bronze medalist

bronze medalist

Often Confused With

bronze vs brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and is yellower, while bronze is copper and tin and is browner.

bronze vs copper

Copper is a pure chemical element with a reddish-orange hue, whereas bronze is a harder alloy.

📝

Usage Notes

When used as an adjective for skin, 'bronze' suggests a healthy, sun-kissed tan. In hierarchy systems (like membership levels), 'bronze' is almost always the lowest or third tier.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'bronzed' and 'bronze' interchangeably; 'bronzed' usually implies the process of becoming bronze (like skin or a preserved baby shoe), whereas 'bronze' is the material or inherent color.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the Olympic podium: Bronze is the 'B' metal for the 'Bottom' of the three winners.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Italian 'bronzo' and possibly the Persian 'birinj', meaning copper.

Grammar Patterns

Attributive use only (placed before nouns) Non-gradable when referring to the material Can be used as a noun to refer to an object made of the metal
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Cultural Context

The concept of a 'bronze medal' for third place was standardized in the 1904 Olympic Games.

Quick Quiz

The museum's grand entrance was adorned with two massive _____ lions that had turned green with age.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bronze

Related Words

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

at

A1

A preposition used to indicate a specific point, location, or position in space. It is also used to specify a particular point in time or a certain state or activity.

but

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two statements that contrast with each other. It is used to introduce an added statement that is different from what has already been mentioned.

his

A1

This word is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned. It functions as both a possessive determiner used before a noun and a possessive pronoun used on its own.

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