Dysprosium

/dɪsˈpɹoʊ.zi.əm/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A metallic chemical element (symbol Dy) with atomic number 66: a rare earth element with a metallic silver lustre. Applications in human affairs include magnets with high performance, which are important in various machines with electric motors.
  • Grammar: dysprosium is listed as noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: atomic number 66, chemical element, dy, gold.
  • Useful contrasts: nonmetal.
  • Usage evidence: Caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war is a Chiclet-size magnet that is vital to every new electric vehicle on the road. The magnet is made with dysprosium. Atomic number 66. A rare-earth mineral with a silver metallic luster. More than 90% of refined dysprosium comes from China, and it is used in magnets that power everything from medical equipment to EV motors. In its retaliation against U.S. tariffs, China slowed exports of several rare-earth minerals and magnets this month, setting off a panic among U.S. automakers. “You cannot build the motor without the magnet,” said a senior automotive executive. “If we want electric-vehicle production to continue to happen in the United States, this has to be solved.”

How to use "dysprosium"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dysprosium" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dysprosium" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dysprosium" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dysprosium" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

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  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "dysprosium" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "atomic number 66" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

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Final meaning check

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Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A metallic chemical element (symbol Dy) with atomic number 66: a rare earth element with a metallic silver lustre. Applications in human affairs include magnets with high performance, which are important in various machines with electric motors. uncountable

    "Caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war is a Chiclet-size magnet that is vital to every new electric vehicle on the road. The magnet is made with dysprosium. Atomic number 66. A rare-earth mineral with a silver metallic luster. More than 90% of refined dysprosium comes from China, and it is used in magnets that power everything from medical equipment to EV motors. In its retaliation against U.S. tariffs, China slowed exports of several rare-earth minerals and magnets this month, setting off a panic among U.S. automakers. “You cannot build the motor without the magnet,” said a senior automotive executive. “If we want electric-vehicle production to continue to happen in the United States, this has to be solved.”"

  2. 2
    a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; forms compounds that are highly magnetic wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
atomic number 66chemical elementdygoldironlanthanide

Antonyms

Example

"Caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war is a Chiclet-size magnet that is vital to every new electric vehicle on the road. The magnet is made with dysprosium. Atomic number 66. A rare-earth mineral with a silver metallic luster. More than 90% of refined dysprosium comes from China, and it is used in magnets that power everything from medical equipment to EV motors. In its retaliation against U.S. tariffs, China slowed exports of several rare-earth minerals and magnets this month, setting off a panic among U.S. automakers. “You cannot build the motor without the magnet,” said a senior automotive executive. “If we want electric-vehicle production to continue to happen in the United States, this has to be solved.”"

Common questions

What does "dysprosium" mean?

A metallic chemical element (symbol Dy) with atomic number 66: a rare earth element with a metallic silver lustre. Applications in human affairs include magnets with high performance, which are important in various machines with electric motors.

What is a synonym for "dysprosium"?

Common synonyms include: atomic number 66, chemical element, dy, gold, iron, lanthanide.

How do you use "dysprosium" in a sentence?

Caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war is a Chiclet-size magnet that is vital to every new electric vehicle on the road. The magnet is made with dysprosium. Atomic number 66. A rare-earth mineral with a silver metallic luster. More than 90% of refined dysprosium comes from China, and it is used in magnets that power everything from medical equipment to EV motors. In its retaliation against U.S. tariffs, China slowed exports of several rare-earth minerals and magnets this month, setting off a panic among U.S. automakers. “You cannot build the motor without the magnet,” said a senior automotive executive. “If we want electric-vehicle production to continue to happen in the United States, this has to be solved.”

How do you pronounce "dysprosium"?

Pronounced /dɪsˈpɹoʊ.zi.əm/.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δυσπρόσιτος (dusprósitos, “hard to get”) + -ium. Compare also unobtainium.

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