Basic Details
Word: Cobalt
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A hard, shiny, silver-blue metal used in many products.
Synonyms: Co, cobalt blue
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Cobalt blue: A vivid blue colour that resembles the colour of cobalt. Example: "The artist used cobalt blue for the sky in her painting."
- Caught between a rock and a hard place: To be in a difficult situation with no easy option. Example: "With her exams coming up and her job, she felt caught between a rock and a hard place."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Cobalt is often used to create beautiful blue pigments for art and ceramics.
Example 2: Many rechargeable batteries use cobalt to improve their performance and lifespan.
Example 3: The scientist excitedly shared his findings about a new alloy containing cobalt that could be used in aerospace applications.
Fun Fact
Cobalt was discovered in 1735 by Swedish chemist Georg Brandt, who recognised it as a distinct metal. Its name comes from the German word "Kobalt," meaning goblin, as miners would often find silver mixed with cobalt ores and mistakenly thought it was silver.
Famous Quote
"The world needs more cobalt blue," said artist Yves Klein, highlighting the unique and vivid colour that this metal can create.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "cobalt" mean?
a) A type of gas
b) A shiny blue metal
c) A kind of plastic
d) A mineral found in soil
Answer: b) A shiny blue metal
2. Which of these is a synonym of "cobalt"?
a) Iron
b) Silver
c) Cobalt blue
d) Gold
Answer: c) Cobalt blue
3. Which sentence uses "cobalt" correctly?
a) The cobalt tree is full of fruit.
b) She painted her room cobalt blue.
c) The cobalt won the race.
d) The cobalt flew high in the sky.
Answer: b) She painted her room cobalt blue.
4. Which idiom relates to "cobalt"?
a) Hit the nail on the head
b) Caught between a rock and a hard place
c) Cobalt blue
d) A picture is worth a thousand words
Answer: c) Cobalt blue
5. What is the opposite of "cobalt"?
a) N/A
b) Wood
c) Paper
d) Iron
Answer: a) N/A
