Ductile means a material can be stretched, bent, or drawn into a thin wire without breaking. In everyday use, it can also mean someone is easily influenced or persuaded.

Simple meaning

  • In materials science, ductile usually describes metals like copper or gold that can be drawn into wire.
  • It is closely related to being malleable , though ductile is especially about stretching under tension.

Example

  • “Copper is ductile, so it can be made into electrical wire.”

Word use

  • Technical use: “This metal is ductile.”
  • Figurative use: “The crowd was ductile,” meaning easily led or shaped by others.

TL;DR: ductile = able to stretch or be shaped without breaking, especially for metals.