amulet
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of amulet
First recorded in 1595–1605; either from Middle French amulete or directly from Latin amulētum
Compare meaning
How does amulet compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If you rub your pendant while praying to your gods, it sounds like you have an amulet, a necklace or similar item attributed with magical powers. An amulet is something that wards off evil spells and all manner of bad luck. Often found in undeveloped societies — or Brady Bunch episodes — an amulet acts as a charm to protect its wearer from evil. Often worn close to the heart as a necklace, the word amulet can refer to any a piece of jewelry or other trinket that is kept close to the body and believed to keep evil and danger at bay.
Vocabulary lists containing amulet
Ancient Egypt - Introductory
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Ancient Egypt - Middle School and High School
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This wartime amulet is apotropaic art, attempting to deflect the gamble with death.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Tom quickly learns that his granny is the guardian of the Phoenix, a powerful amulet which, in the right hands, maintains the good in the universe, but in the wrong hands will destroy humanity.
From New York Times ● Feb. 2, 2024
He said the wearing of the necklace did not “put a damper on the scares” of those not wearing the amulet, a concern of some patrons.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2023
Mr Marshall said there was no evidence of wear on the comb teeth, suggesting it was never used as a functional item but the circular hole may have meant it was worm as an amulet.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2023
Then, with one yellow, claw-like finger, she touched the amulet at her breast, and began tracing the spiral.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
In addition to three planes valued at more than $21 million, Anutin's declared assets as of December included two boats, several luxury cars and two-dozen amulets worth about $2.8 million, according to official disclosures.
From Barron's ● Mar. 19, 2026
Again, many other jihadists reject the use of amulets, believing them to be contrary to the teachings of Islam.
From BBC ● Dec. 15, 2024
Having tried to live their lives according to their values as Catholics, artists or patriots, as the case may be, they are finally learning that values are not amulets against disaster.
From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2023
The clothes feature Sombreuil’s artwork — amulets, angels, demons and more — on thermals, cut-out dresses and jeans, fitting squarely in Heaven’s irreverent, cheeky universe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2023
Others carried amulets or charms inside their space suits, even though it was technically against the rules to bring anything inside the suit except your body and the surgical scrubs.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
