fuse

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A safety device in an electrical circuit that melts and breaks the circuit when the current is too strong.

   Grammar: Countable: a fuse, two fuses. Often used with 'blow' when it stops working.

   Patterns

   • blow a fuse
   • a fuse blows
   • replace a fuse

   The lights went out because a fuse had blown.

   He replaced the fuse in the plug.

   If the current gets too high, the fuse will melt and cut the power.

2. 2nouncountable

   A cord or tube that burns slowly and is used to set off an explosive device.

   Grammar: Countable: a fuse, the fuse. Often used with 'light' or 'burn'.

   Patterns

   • light a fuse
   • the fuse burns
   • a short fuse

   The soldier lit the fuse and ran for cover.

   The fuse burned down to the explosive.

   They used a long fuse to give themselves time to escape.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   To join two or more things together so that they become one, especially by melting or blending.

   Grammar: Can take an object (fuse the two metals) or be used without one (the metals fuse together).

   Patterns

   • fuse something together
   • fuse something with something
   • fuse into something

   The heat fused the pieces of metal together.

   The artist fused traditional and modern styles in her work.

   When the atoms fuse, they release a huge amount of energy.

4. 4verbintransitive

   To become one; to unite closely.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'with' or 'into'.

   Patterns

   • fuse with something
   • fuse into something

   The two companies fused into a single large corporation.

   In the story, the two characters seem to fuse into one.

   The bones in the skull fuse together as a child grows.

Word forms

Common combinations

blow a fuse

Don't plug in too many appliances or you'll blow a fuse.

fuse box

The fuse box is in the basement.

short fuse

He has a short fuse, so be careful what you say.

fuse together

The glue will fuse the two pieces together.

fuse with

The band fuses jazz with electronic music.

Synonyms and how they differ

circuit breaker

A switch that automatically cuts power, but unlike a fuse it can be reset and reused.

detonator

A device that sets off an explosion; a fuse is the burning cord that leads to it.

merge

To combine into one; often used for companies or ideas, while 'fuse' suggests a closer, more permanent joining.

blend

To mix smoothly, especially substances; 'fuse' often implies melting or chemical joining.

Opposites

Word family

fusion noun

The process or result of joining things together.

fused adjective

Joined together, especially by melting.

Commonly confused: fuse or fuse?

Practice

Make it your own

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