What does molten mean?
Molten is an adjective meaning liquid because it has been melted by intense heat. The word is especially associated with molten metal in foundries, molten glass in glassmaking, molten lava emerging from volcanoes, and molten rock within the Earth. It is more vivid and technically specific than “melted,” since it emphasizes the substance’s liquid state while it is being heated. The adjective can also convey extreme heat, as in “a molten surface,” and can be used figuratively for something intensely emotional, energetic, or powerful. Molten is common in technical, scientific, industrial, and literary contexts, while it is less suitable for ordinary, neutral descriptions of food or beverages that have simply melted.
Liquid because it has been melted by heat; especially used of metal, glass, lava, or rock.
"The sculptor placed the glowing molten glass into its mold."
The adjective commonly emphasizes a substance’s intensely heated, liquid state.
Intensely hot or, figuratively, filled with intense emotion or energy.
"The arena was molten with excitement before the final race."
Figurative uses are more literary and dramatic than the literal technical sense.
Molten turns up in the most extreme conditions on Earth, from flowing lava to the fiery core of a planet.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does molten come from?
“Molten” comes from the Old English verb “melten,” meaning “to become liquid” or “to melt,” through the formation “molten” with the suffix “-en.” The modern adjective developed in Middle English and was used especially for heated metal and other substances in a liquid state. The related English word “melt” preserves the same Germanic root, while words such as “melter” and “meltwater” belong to the same broad lexical family.
Related word forms
How molten is actually used
“Molten” is commonly used with metals, glass, lava, and other heated materials. It is more literary and vivid than “melted,” especially when emphasizing intense heat; figurative uses are usually found in formal or expressive writing.
Easily confused with molten
“Molten” describes a substance that is currently liquid because of heat, whereas “melted” can also describe a substance that has undergone melting and may now be cooling or solid.