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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ancient Egypt - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
It’s as though this object has become an enchanted amulet that has brought me simultaneously back into the past, her past, and forward into the future, my future.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2025
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
The amulet lay where she had left it.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
In January, Sudanese authorities showed off a haul of some 570 items taken from the national museum, including scarab-shaped amulets, along with ancient vases and figurines.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
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
Gone, too, were various procedures which might be suspected of being magical, including a lengthy discussion of amulets.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
