Meaning & use
fusing
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“fusing” is a form of “fuse”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Joining or blending two or more things into one, often using heat, so they become a single mass.
Grammar: Takes an object when something joins things (fusing the pieces); no object when they join on their own (the bones are fusing).
Patterns
- fusing something with something
- fusing something together
The artist is fusing pieces of colored glass in a hot kiln.
Doctors saw the bones in his spine fusing together as he healed.
The band is fusing jazz with electronic music.
verbtransitive or intransitivetechnical
Causing an electrical circuit or device to stop working because a thin wire inside melts, or doing so when it happens.
Grammar: Often about a circuit failing: fusing the lights; or no object: the lights are fusing.
Patterns
- fusing the lights
Plugging in too many heaters risks fusing the whole circuit.
He worried that the faulty wire was fusing the lights every night.
A power surge is fusing small devices all over the street.
Word forms
| base form | fuse |
|---|---|
| third person singular | fuses |
| past tense | fused |
| -ing form | fusing |
Common combinations
- fusing together
- The two metals are fusing together under heat.
- fusing glass
- She teaches a class on fusing glass.
- fusing styles
- The chef is fusing French and Thai styles.
- fusing atoms
- The sun makes energy by fusing hydrogen atoms.
- fusing something with something
- The poet is fusing myth with everyday life.
Synonyms and how they differ
- merging
- Merging suggests two things coming together to become one, often groups or roads, while fusing suggests a strong bond, often from heat.
- welding
- Welding is a specific process that joins metal, while fusing is wider and also covers glass, ideas and bones.
- blending
- Blending mixes things so they cannot be told apart, while fusing often leaves a hard, joined result.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: fusing or fussing?
fusing vs fussing
Fussing means worrying about small things or making a fuss. It sounds similar but has nothing to do with joining.
Practice
The sculptor is ___ several small metal pieces into one large shape using a torch.
Choose one answer.
Fusing means joining things into one mass, which fits metal and a torch. Fussing sounds similar but means worrying over small details.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fusing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.