noun Uncommon

enamel

ih-NA-muhl

Enamel (noun) means a hard, glossy protective coating fused onto metal, ceramic or another surface. Example: “The old bathtub had chipped white enamel around the rim.”

noun

A hard, glossy protective coating fused onto metal, ceramic or another surface.

"The old bathtub had chipped white enamel around the rim."

The hard, glossy outer layer that protects the visible part of a tooth.

"Sugary drinks can wear away tooth enamel over time."

verb

To coat or decorate an object with enamel.

"The jeweller enameled the pendant in deep blue."

How to use enamel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA hard shiny coating — either on objects like metal and pottery, or the natural covering on your teeth.

Common pairings

enamel paint tooth enamel enameled surface

Word forms

enameled past tense, enamelled past tense, enamels plural, enamels singular

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The old bathtub had chipped white _____ around the rim.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman enamailler, ultimately from Old French esmail ("enamel"), traced back to a Frankish word related to "melt" or "smelt."

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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tooth enamel

Rhymes for enamel

camel caramel

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Frequently asked questions

What does “enamel” mean?

The word “enamel” means a hard, glossy protective coating fused onto metal, ceramic or another surface. In plain terms, a hard shiny coating — either on objects like metal and pottery, or the natural covering on your teeth.

How do you pronounce “enamel”?

“Enamel” is pronounced ih-NA-muhl (/ɪˈnæməl/ in IPA).

How do you use “enamel” in a sentence?

Here is “enamel” used in a sentence: “The old bathtub had chipped white enamel around the rim.”

What part of speech is “enamel”?

Depending on how it is used, “enamel” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “enamel” come from?

The word “enamel” comes from Old French. From Anglo-Norman enamailler, ultimately from Old French esmail ("enamel"), traced back to a Frankish word related to "melt" or "smelt.".

Is “enamel” a common word?

“Enamel” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “enamel” have?

“Enamel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, glossy protective coating fused onto metal, ceramic or another surface.