Melt vs. Molten — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Melt" is a verb describing the process of turning solid into liquid due to heat, while "molten" is an adjective describing a substance in its liquid state due to high temperatures.
Difference Between Melt and Molten
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Melt" refers to the action where a solid becomes liquid when exposed to sufficient heat, whereas "molten" is used to describe the condition of a substance that has already melted.
"Melt" can apply to a variety of substances, including metals, ice, and chocolate, which transition from solid to liquid under heat. In contrast, "molten" is often used specifically to describe materials like lava or metal in a liquid state at extremely high temperatures.
The verb "melt" captures a dynamic process, suggesting change and movement from one state to another, whereas "molten" implies a specific, static state, maintaining the liquid form.
When describing processes in recipes or manufacturing, "melt" indicates an ongoing action required by the operator, like melting butter in a pan; on the other hand, "molten" describes the result, such as molten metal being poured into a mold.
In scientific contexts, "melt" can be used to discuss the melting point—the temperature at which a substance begins to change from solid to liquid. On the other hand, "molten" would describe the substance after it has reached and maintained a temperature above its melting point.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Adjective
State
Describes the action/process
Describes the resultant state
Typical Usage
General, any substance
Often used for metals, lava
Temperature Context
At or above melting point
Maintained above melting point
Example Context
Melting chocolate for a sauce
Lava flows as molten rock
Compare with Definitions
Melt
To become softened in feeling.
Her heart began to melt as the puppy curled up in her lap.
Molten
Describing rock in a fluid state within the earth.
The volcano expelled molten lava.
Melt
To change from a solid to a liquid state usually through heat.
Ice cubes melt quickly in hot water.
Molten
Displaying great heat and brightness.
The campfire's molten embers glowed in the dark.
Melt
To dissolve slowly and disappear.
The sugar cubes started to melt into the warm tea.
Molten
Made liquid by heat; melted.
Molten glass is shaped into beautiful art pieces.
Melt
To merge or blend gradually.
The tourists melted into the crowd, becoming indistinguishable.
Molten
Glowing with heat.
The blacksmith worked the molten iron.
Melt
To cause to pass away or fade.
The morning sun melted the fog away.
Molten
Being in a state of fusion.
The artist poured the molten metal into the mold.
Melt
Make or become liquefied by heat
The hot metal melted the wax
Place under a hot grill until the cheese has melted
Molten
Made liquid by heat; melted
Molten lead.
Melt
Make or become more tender or loving
She was so beautiful that I melted
Richard gave her a smile that melted her heart
Molten
Made by melting and casting in a mold.
Melt
Leave or disappear unobtrusively
The compromise was accepted and the opposition melted away
Molten
Brilliantly glowing, from or as if from intense heat
"A huge red bed of coals blazed and quivered with molten fury" (Richard Wright).
Melt
An act or period of melting
The precipitation falls as snow and is released during the spring melt
Molten
A past participle of melt.
Melt
To be changed from a solid to a liquid state especially by the application of heat.
Molten
Melted.
Molten metal
Molten wax
Molten rock
Melt
To dissolve
Sugar melts in water.
Molten
Made from a melted substance. en
Melt
To disappear or vanish gradually as if by dissolving
The crowd melted away after the rally.
Molten
Glowing red-hot.
Melt
To pass or merge imperceptibly into something else
Sea melted into sky along the horizon.
Molten
(archaic) melt
Melt
To become softened in feeling
Our hearts melted at the child's tears.
Molten
Melted; being in a state of fusion, esp. when the liquid state is produced by a high degree of heat; as, molten iron.
Melt
(Obsolete) To be overcome or crushed, as by grief, dismay, or fear.
Molten
Made by melting and casting the substance or metal of which the thing is formed; as, a molten image.
Melt
To change (a solid) to a liquid state especially by the application of heat.
Molten
Reduced to liquid form by heating;
A mass of molten rock
Melt
To dissolve
The tide melted our sand castle away.
Melt
To cause to disappear gradually; disperse.
Melt
To cause (units) to blend
"Here individuals of all races are melted into a new race of men" (Michel Guillaume Jean de Crèvecoeur).
Melt
To soften (someone's feelings); make gentle or tender.
Melt
A melted solid; a fused mass.
Melt
The state of being melted.
Melt
The act or operation of melting.
Melt
The quantity melted at a single operation or in one period.
Melt
A usually open sandwich topped with melted cheese
A tuna melt.
Melt
Molten material, the product of melting.
Melt
The transition of matter from a solid state to a liquid state.
Melt
The springtime snow runoff in mountain regions.
Melt
A melt sandwich.
Melt
(geology) Rock showing evidence of having been remelted after it originally solidified.
Numerous samples of breccia and impact melts were recovered by drilling into the floor of the crater.
Melt
A wax-based substance for use in an oil burner as an alternative to mixing oils and water.
Melt
An idiot.
Melt
(ergative) To change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat.
I melted butter to make a cake.
When the weather is warm, the snowman will disappear; he will melt.
Melt
To dissolve, disperse, vanish.
His troubles melted away.
Melt
To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of; to weaken.
Melt
(intransitive) To be discouraged.
Melt
To be emotionally softened or touched.
She melted when she saw the romantic message in the Valentine's Day card.
Melt
To be very hot and sweat profusely.
I need shade! I'm melting!
Melt
See 2d Milt.
Melt
To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as by heat; to liquefy; as, to melt wax, tallow, or lead; to melt ice or snow.
Melt
To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of; to weaken.
Thou would'st have . . . melted down thy youth.
For pity melts the mind to love.
Melt
To be changed from a solid to a liquid state under the influence of heat; as, butter and wax melt at moderate temperatures.
Melt
To dissolve; as, sugar melts in the mouth.
Melt
To be softened; to become tender, mild, or gentle; also, to be weakened or subdued, as by fear.
My soul melteth for heaviness.
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion.
Melt
To lose distinct form or outline; to blend. See fondue.
The soft, green, rounded hills, with their flowing outlines, overlapping and melting into each other.
Melt
To disappear by being dispersed or dissipated; as, the fog melts away.
Melt
The process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid;
The power failure caused a refrigerator melt that was a disaster
The thawing of a frozen turkey takes several hours
Melt
Reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating;
Melt butter
Melt down gold
The wax melted in the sun
Melt
Become or cause to become soft or liquid;
The sun melted the ice
The ice thawed
The ice cream melted
The heat melted the wax
The giant iceberg dissolved over the years during the global warming phase
Dethaw the meat
Melt
Become more relaxed, easygoing, or genial;
With age, he mellowed
Melt
Lose its distinct outline or shape; blend gradually;
Hundreds of actors were melting into the scene
Melt
Become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly;
The scene begins to fade
The tree trunks are melting into the forest at dusk
Melt
Become less intense and fade away gradually;
Her resistance melted under his charm
Common Curiosities
Is "molten" only used for describing metals?
While commonly used for metals and lava, "molten" can describe any substance that is liquid because of high heat.
Can "melt" be used for substances other than ice?
Yes, "melt" can describe any solid that turns into a liquid when heated, like butter or chocolate.
What is meant by "molten"?
"Molten" is an adjective describing a substance that is in a liquid state because of high temperatures.
Can ice be described as molten?
No, "molten" typically refers to materials at a much higher temperature, such as molten lava or metal.
Are there materials that cannot melt?
Yes, some materials decompose or sublimate rather than melt, depending on their chemical properties.
Why is "molten" used frequently in geology?
In geology, "molten" is used to describe the liquid state of materials found within the Earth, like magma.
Is it correct to say "molten ice"?
No, the correct term would be "melted ice," as "molten" implies extremely high temperatures.
What does "melt" mean?
"Melt" is a verb that means to change from a solid to a liquid state, typically due to heat.
How do you use "melt" in a sentence?
Example: You need to melt the chocolate before mixing it into the batter.
How do you use "molten" in a sentence?
Example: The foundry workers handled the molten steel with extreme caution.
Does the term "molten" imply danger?
"Molten" often implies potential danger due to the extreme heat required to maintain a substance in a liquid state.
What is the process of a solid becoming molten called?
The process of a solid becoming molten is part of what is generally termed as melting.
What is the difference between melting point and molten?
The melting point is the temperature at which a solid will melt. "Molten" describes the state of a substance after it has melted.
What happens to a substance when it melts?
When a substance melts, it transitions from a solid state to a liquid state.
Is "molten" a permanent state?
No, "molten" is a temporary state; the substance solidifies again as it cools.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
