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
1
A hard, glossy protective coating fused onto metal, ceramic or another surface.
"The old bathtub had chipped white enamel around the rim."
2
The hard, glossy outer layer that protects the visible part of a tooth.
"Sugary drinks can wear away tooth enamel over time."
verb
1
To coat or decorate an object with enamel.
"The jeweller enameled the pendant in deep blue."
How to use enamel
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- enamels
- Third person singular
- enamels
- Past tense
- enameled, enamelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."
Synonyms
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tooth enamel
Rhymes for enamel
See all rhymes for enamel →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.
