modeling clay

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A soft, bendable material that is shaped by hand and then dried or baked to make small figures and objects.

   Grammar: No plural and no 'a': you use 'some modeling clay' or 'a piece of modeling clay'.

   Patterns

   • modeling clay in a color
   • make something from modeling clay
   • a lump of modeling clay

   The children used modeling clay to make a small zoo of animals.

   She pressed the modeling clay flat and cut out a star shape.

   This modeling clay stays soft until you bake it in the oven.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   A type of clay used in art classes for practicing sculpture before working in a permanent material.

   Grammar: Still uncountable; often used with 'in' to name the material: 'a figure in modeling clay'.

   Patterns

   • work in modeling clay
   • a model in modeling clay

   In sculpture class we first made the head in modeling clay.

   The artist keeps a block of modeling clay on the table for quick studies.

Common combinations

soft modeling clay

Warm the soft modeling clay in your hands before shaping it.

modeling clay figure

A tiny modeling clay figure stood on the shelf.

play with modeling clay

The kids played with modeling clay all afternoon.

a ball of modeling clay

Roll the mixture into a ball of modeling clay.

Synonyms and how they differ

playdough

Playdough is a soft, reusable dough for young children; modeling clay is firmer and can be baked to keep its shape.

plasticine

Plasticine is a British trademark name for a similar non-drying clay; modeling clay is the general term.

Word family

model verb

To shape a material into a form.

modeler noun

A person who makes models.

Commonly confused: modeling clay or clay?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “modeling clay”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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