Definition

Scoria is a type of volcanic rock that is dark and has many holes or vesicles, formed from lava that cools quickly. It is often used in construction and landscaping.

Example

The landscape was dotted with pieces of scoria, giving it a unique texture and color.

Conversation

I saw some interesting rocks at the park yesterday.

Oh really? What kind of rocks?

There was this dark, porous stuff called scoria that looked cool.

That sounds fascinating! I've read about it being formed from lava.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Scoria originates from Latin 'scoria' (meaning dross or waste), which refers to the waste material that forms on the surface of molten metal. The word describes the residue left after the smelting process, often associated with metalworking.

Memory Tip

Think of 'waste' from the Latin root 'scoria' to remember that scoria refers to the leftover material from metal production.

Visually Confused Words