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
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
As master of disguise, Zandrya takes a different form each time she appears in an episode — the better to fool Sofia and get her hands on the magic amulet.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 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
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
The last I saw of him, he lay on his left side, an amulet in his hand to guard against deviltry on his last, long journey.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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
James showed the BBC the amulets, which were made of fowl feathers, animal skins and herbs, covered in leather and cloth.
From BBC ● Dec. 15, 2024
“They are like apotropaic amulets warding off the evil eye: an army of ever-watchful, unblinking, cyclopean eyes,” wrote critic Zoé Samudzi in a short monograph of William’s work published in 2021.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2023
Five amulets turned the bright aqua color of her parents’ coven.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
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.
