Metalloid

Pro Tip 1/3

Academic 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 2/3

Ambiguous 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 3/3

Collocation 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.