verb
Uncommon
mantle
MAN-tuhl
Mantle (verb) means to cover, cloak, or conceal something. Example: “Fog mantled the valley by early morning.”
verb
1
To cover, cloak, or conceal something.
"Fog mantled the valley by early morning."
"Fresh snow mantled the rooftops and made the village look peaceful."
"A thin layer of dust mantled the furniture in the empty house."
noun
1
The layer of the Earth between the crust and the core.
"Molten rock rises from the mantle to form volcanoes."
"Scientists study how heat moves through the mantle beneath our feet."
"The mantle is much thicker than the crust we live on."
2
A position or responsibility passed on to someone, or a loose cloak.
"She took up the mantle of leadership after her father retired."
"The young captain nervously accepted the mantle of responsibility for the team."
"She pulled her woollen mantle tightly around her shoulders against the cold."
How to use mantle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA covering layer (like a cloak, or the layer of rock inside the Earth), or figuratively, a role or duty someone takes on.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with "mantel," the fireplace shelf.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take up the mantle
the Earth's mantle
mantle of snow
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- mantles
- Past tense
- mantled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fog _____ the valley by early morning.
Etymology
From Old English mæntel ("sleeveless cloak"), from Latin mantellum ("covering, cloak").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mantle
See all rhymes for mantle →Frequently asked questions
What does “mantle” mean?
The word “mantle” means to cover, cloak, or conceal something. In plain terms, a covering layer (like a cloak, or the layer of rock inside the Earth), or figuratively, a role or duty someone takes on.
How do you pronounce “mantle”?
“Mantle” is pronounced MAN-tuhl (/ˈmæn.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mantle” in a sentence?
Here is “mantle” used in a sentence: “Fog mantled the valley by early morning.”
What part of speech is “mantle”?
Depending on how it is used, “mantle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “mantle” come from?
The word “mantle” comes from Latin. From Old English mæntel ("sleeveless cloak"), from Latin mantellum ("covering, cloak").
Is “mantle” a common word?
“Mantle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mantle” have?
“Mantle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cover, cloak, or conceal something.
What is the difference between mantle and mantel?
Mantle and mantel are homophones with different meanings. Mantle refers to covering or concealing something, the layer of the Earth beneath the crust, or a cloak or passed-on responsibility, while mantel specifically refers to the shelf above a fireplace. Despite sounding identical, the two spellings are not interchangeable.
What does it mean to take up the mantle?
To 'take up the mantle' means to accept a position or responsibility that has been passed on, often from a predecessor. This usage draws on the sense of mantle as a loose cloak symbolically handed to a successor.
How is the Earth's mantle different from its crust and core?
The mantle is the layer of the Earth located between the crust and the core. The crust is the thin outer layer we live on, while the core sits at the very center of the planet, meaning the mantle forms the thick middle layer connecting the two.
