Metalloid
/ˈmetlɔɪd/
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Term
Used in science and education, not typically in everyday conversation. 
In my chemistry class, we discussed the position of metalloids in the periodic table.
Pro Tip 2/3Ambiguous Nature
Metals and non-metals are clear categories; metalloids are tricky because they're in-between. 
As a metalloid, germanium can be hard to classify as either a metal or non-metal.
Pro Tip 3/3Collocation Usage
Often used with 'element' to clarify that it refers to a type of chemical element. 
Tellurium is less commonly known as a metalloid element compared to silicon.
Compare with
Semiconductor
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