What does solder mean?
Word: Solder
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Solder means to fix pieces of metal together with a soft metal that is melted and then left to harden.
How do you spell solder?
Syllables: sol - der
Tricky part: This word sits one letter away from soldier, and pupils often slip that i in. There is no i here, and the l has to stay.
Watch out for: soulder, soalder
Memory tip: Imagine the i of soldier melting away in the heat of the iron. What is left is this word.
Solder in a sentence
Example 1: My uncle showed me how to solder a wire on to a small speaker.
Example 2: Jewellers solder tiny links to mend a broken silver chain.
Example 3: Our robotics club learnt to solder circuit boards with an adult watching.
Fun Fact
Long ago the word was often written without its l, and many American speakers still leave that sound out.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
soldder
a) l
b) o
c) d
d) r
Show answer
c) d. That letter is single, and comes straight after the l.
Word Cookie
One word in this sentence is misspelt. Find it:
Before the robotics contest, Aditi had to solder a loose wire, tighten two screws and recharge the battries that ran the tiny motors.
a) motors
b) battries
c) solder
d) tighten
Show answer
b) battries. Batteries has an e after the double t, even though it is often not heard.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word solder as used in the sentence:
The technician used a hot iron to solder the broken wire back on to the circuit board.
a) clean
b) bend
c) join
d) paint
Show answer
c) join. The wire has come off, so it must be fastened on again.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly and one is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. circuit 2. conductor 3. solder 4. voltege
a) to fix wires with a melted alloy
b) the force of an electric current, measured in volts
c) a material that lets heat or electricity pass
d) a complete path for electric current
Show answer
b) the force of an electric current, measured in volts. Voltage ends in age, and the word is built on volt.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who would most often need to solder something?
a) a village wheat farmer
b) a long-distance train guard
c) an electronics repair worker
d) a primary school maths tutor
Show answer
c) an electronics repair worker
2. Why is the metal used to solder wires a soft one?
a) it must stretch like rubber
b) it must shine like gold
c) it must melt at a low heat
d) it must soak up water
Show answer
c) it must melt at a low heat
