noun

enamel

ih-NA-muhl

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

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

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The old bathtub had chipped white _____ around the rim.

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

camel caramel