Meaning & use
agglomerated
Last updated
“agglomerated” is a form of “agglomerate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Collected or formed into a rounded mass or cluster, especially of small particles.
Grammar: Used mainly before a noun or after a linking verb: 'agglomerated particles' or 'the particles are agglomerated'.
Patterns
- agglomerated particles
- agglomerated mass
- become agglomerated
The powder formed an agglomerated mass at the bottom of the tank.
In the image, the agglomerated particles appear as dark, irregular clumps.
Once the mixture cools, the agglomerated material can be crushed and reused.
verbtransitive or intransitivetechnical
Past tense and past participle of agglomerate: gathered or caused to gather into a cluster or mass.
Grammar: As a verb, it can take an object ('the machine agglomerated the dust') or be used without one ('the dust agglomerated').
Patterns
- agglomerate something
- something agglomerates
- agglomerated into something
Over time, the fine ash agglomerated into larger, heavier lumps.
The factory agglomerated the waste into blocks for easier transport.
The particles had agglomerated before the sample was examined.
Word forms
| base form | agglomerate |
|---|---|
| third person singular | agglomerates |
| past tense | agglomerated |
| past participle | agglomerated |
| present participle | agglomerating |
Common combinations
- agglomerated particles
- The filter traps agglomerated particles more easily than fine dust.
- agglomerated mass
- A dark agglomerated mass had formed in the corner of the container.
- become agglomerated
- If the powder gets wet, it may become agglomerated.
- agglomerated into lumps
- The clay agglomerated into hard lumps when it dried.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clustered
- More general and common; it can describe people or things, while agglomerated is mostly technical and about particles or materials.
- clumped
- Similar in meaning but less formal; it often suggests irregular, heavy groups rather than a technical process.
- conglomerated
- Used for larger, often rocky or corporate masses; agglomerated is more common for small particles or powders.
Opposites
Word family
- agglomerate verb
- To gather or form into a mass or cluster.
- agglomerate noun
- A mass or cluster formed from smaller parts, especially in geology.
- agglomeration noun
- The process of gathering into a mass, or the mass itself.
Commonly confused: agglomerated or aggregated? agglomerated or accumulated?
agglomerated vs aggregated
Aggregated means combined into a total or group, often for data or numbers; agglomerated is more physical and suggests a sticky or clustered mass.
agglomerated vs accumulated
Accumulated means gradually increased in amount over time; agglomerated focuses on things sticking or gathering into a single mass.
Practice
The fine dust had ______ into small balls by the time we opened the container.
Choose one answer.
The past perfect 'had' needs a past participle, which is 'agglomerated'. 'Agglomerating' would need a form of 'be' (e.g., 'was agglomerating'), 'agglomerate' is the base form, and 'agglomeration' is a noun, not a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “agglomerated”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.