amulet
Americannoun
-
amulets
plural
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
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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:
The 66-year-old was known for creating a highly-coveted coin amulet.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
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
Each depicts a man, cloaked in a robe, with an amulet around his neck.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2023
Panic swelled in Seven’s chest, and she had to keep her eyes on her amulet, focusing on nothing else, to keep from crying.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
The gift shop overflowed with people buying beaded bracelets and amulets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
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
One never knew when he might veer into a 20-minute reflection on the Mexican Revolution, or show off the amulets that he believed had protected him from COVID-19.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2024
Still, I could look at the pictures while the demon girl outlined the story about flying carpets and phoenixes and magical amulets and cranky old sand elves who lived on beaches.
From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
