Meaning & use
composites
Last updated
“composites” is a form of “composite”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluraltechnicalspecialist
Materials made by combining two or more different substances to create a stronger or more useful material.
Grammar: Always plural in this sense; use the singular 'composite' for one such material.
Patterns
- composites made of something
- composites for something
- use composites in something
Aircraft wings are often built from composites like carbon fiber and resin.
Modern tennis rackets use composites to reduce weight while keeping strength.
The lab is testing new composites for use in artificial joints.
nouncountable
Things that are made up of several distinct parts or elements combined.
Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is 'composite'.
Patterns
- a composite of something
- composites of different things
The final report is a composite of interviews from ten different experts.
The artist's work is a composite of photography and painting.
Their team is a composite of players from several countries.
Word forms
| singular | composite |
|---|
Common combinations
- composite material
- The car body is made from a lightweight composite material.
- carbon-fiber composite
- The bike frame uses a carbon-fiber composite for extra stiffness.
- composite image
- The software creates a composite image from multiple photos.
- composite sketch
- Police released a composite sketch of the suspect.
- composite number
- In math, 12 is a composite number because it has more than two factors.
Synonyms and how they differ
- blend
- A blend is a mixture of things that lose their separate identity; a composite often keeps the distinct parts visible or functional.
- compound
- A compound is a combination of separate elements or parts; in chemistry it refers to a substance of fixed composition, while composite is broader and often about materials.
Opposites
Word family
- composite adjective
- Made of different parts or materials combined.
- composition noun
- The act of combining parts, or the mixture itself.
- compose verb
- To make up or form something by combining parts.
Commonly confused: composites or compost?
composites vs compost
Compost is decayed organic material used for fertilizing soil; composites are engineered materials.
Practice
The new bridge is made from ____ that are stronger than steel.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'composites' fits because the subject is plural and refers to multiple engineered materials. 'Composite' is singular and would need 'a' or 'the'. 'Compost' is a different word meaning decayed organic matter. 'Compositions' refers to works of music or writing, not materials.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “composites”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.