Definition

A type of rock or pottery that contains a lot of iron, often used for making things like pottery or for extracting iron ore.

Example

The artist chose to use ironstone for her pottery because of its durability and unique color.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of ironstone?

Yeah, I think it's used to make pottery, right?

Exactly! It's also found in some rocks that are rich in iron.

That's interesting; I had no idea it had so many uses.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ironstone is formed from "iron" (from Old English "iren", meaning a strong, hard metal) and "stone" (from Old English "stan", meaning a solid mineral matter). The word refers to a type of stone that contains iron or has iron-like properties.

Memory Tip

Think of 'iron' as a strong metal and 'stone' as solid material — together, they describe a stone that has iron in it.

Visually Confused Words