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A '''metalloid''' is a [[chemical element]] which has a preponderance of [[material property|properties]] in between, or that are a mixture of, those of [[metal]]s and [[Nonmetal (chemistry)|nonmetal]]s. There is no standard definition of a metalloid and no complete agreement on which elements are metalloids. Despite the lack of specificity, the term remains in use in the literature of [[chemistry]]. Metalloids typically have a metallic appearance but are often brittle and not as malleable as metals.
The six commonly recognised metalloids are [[boron]], [[silicon]], [[germanium]], [[arsenic]], [[antimony]] and [[tellurium]].
Typical metalloids have a metallic appearance, may be brittle and are only fair [[electrical conductor|conductors of electricity]]. They can form [[alloy]]s with metals, and many of their other [[physical property|physical properties]] and [[chemical property|chemical properties]] are intermediate between those of metallic and nonmetallic elements. They and their compounds are used in alloys, biological agents, [[catalyst]]s, [[flame retardant]]s, [[glass]]es, [[optical storage]] and [[optoelectronics]], [[pyrotechnics]], [[semiconductor]]s, and electronics.
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