adj
Uncommon
ceramic
suh-RA-mihk
Ceramic (adj) means Made from clay or a similar material hardened by intense heat. Example: “She bought a set of ceramic mugs at the market.”
adj
1
Made from clay or a similar material hardened by intense heat.
"She bought a set of ceramic mugs at the market."
"The ceramic tiles in the kitchen felt cool underfoot."
"He painted a ceramic vase as a gift for his mother."
noun
1
A hard material made by firing clay or minerals at high temperature.
"The tiles are made of a durable ceramic."
"Ceramic is used inside some ovens because it withstands extreme heat."
"Many bathroom sinks are made of ceramic rather than metal."
2
An object made from such material.
"The museum displayed ancient Greek ceramics."
"She dusted the ceramics on the shelf one by one."
"The market stall sold handmade ceramics from local potters."
How to use ceramic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClay-based material (or objects made from it) hardened by firing at high heat.
Common pairings
ceramic tile
ceramic pot
ceramic coating
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Word forms
- Plural
- ceramics
- Comparative
- more ceramic
- Superlative
- most ceramic
Fill the gap
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She bought a set of _____ mugs at the market.
Etymology
From Greek keramikos ("of pottery"), from keramos ("potter's clay").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ceramic
See all rhymes for ceramic →Frequently asked questions
What does “ceramic” mean?
The word “ceramic” means made from clay or a similar material hardened by intense heat. In plain terms, clay-based material (or objects made from it) hardened by firing at high heat.
How do you pronounce “ceramic”?
“Ceramic” is pronounced suh-RA-mihk (/səˈɹæmɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ceramic” in a sentence?
Here is “ceramic” used in a sentence: “She bought a set of ceramic mugs at the market.”
What part of speech is “ceramic”?
Depending on how it is used, “ceramic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “ceramic” come from?
The word “ceramic” comes from Greek. From Greek keramikos ("of pottery"), from keramos ("potter's clay").
Is “ceramic” a common word?
“Ceramic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ceramic” have?
“Ceramic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made from clay or a similar material hardened by intense heat.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain?
Ceramic is a broad term for any hard material made by firing clay or minerals at high temperature, while porcelain is a specific, finer type of ceramic fired at very high temperatures to produce a denser, often translucent result. All porcelain is ceramic, but not all ceramic is porcelain.
Can "ceramic" be used as both a noun and an adjective?
Yes. As an adjective, "ceramic" describes something made from clay or a similar material hardened by heat, as in "a ceramic bowl." As a noun, it refers to the material itself or to an object made from it.
Why are ceramic materials used for cookware and tiles?
Ceramic materials are valued for cookware and tiles because firing clay or minerals at high temperature produces a hard, durable surface that withstands heat and wear well.
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