anvil
2 synonyms for anvil, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A heavy block of iron with a flat top, used by blacksmiths as a surface for hammering and shaping hot metal.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
stithy
incus
How to use anvil
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
strike the anvil
anvil cloud
blacksmith's anvil
Etymology
From Old English anfilte, built from "on" + a Germanic root meaning "beaten" — literally something metal is beaten on.
Full origin of anvil →Frequently asked questions
What does “anvil” mean?
The word “anvil” means a heavy block of iron with a flat top, used by blacksmiths as a surface for hammering and shaping hot metal. In plain terms, the heavy metal block a blacksmith hammers on — also used for the matching-shaped ear bone and storm cloud.
How do you pronounce “anvil”?
“Anvil” is pronounced AN-vihl (/ˈæn.vəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “anvil” in a sentence?
Here is “anvil” used in a sentence: “The blacksmith rested the glowing horseshoe on the anvil before striking it.”
What is another word for “anvil”?
Words with a similar meaning to “anvil” include stithy.
What part of speech is “anvil”?
Depending on how it is used, “anvil” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “anvil” come from?
The word “anvil” comes from Old English. From Old English anfilte, built from "on" + a Germanic root meaning "beaten" — literally something metal is beaten on.
How many meanings does “anvil” have?
“Anvil” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy block of iron with a flat top, used by blacksmiths as a surface for hammering and shaping hot metal.
