enamel
Americannoun
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a glassy substance, usually opaque, applied by fusion to the surface of metal, pottery, etc., as an ornament or for protection.
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any of various varnishes, paints, coatings, etc., drying to a hard, glossy finish.
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any enamellike surface with a bright luster.
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an artistic work executed in enamel.
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Dentistry. the hard, glossy, calcareous covering of the crown of a tooth, containing only a slight amount of organic substance.
verb (used with object)
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enamels,
present (3rd person singular)
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enameled,
past participle, past
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enamelled,
past participle, past (especially British)
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enameling,
present participle
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enamelling
present participle (especially British)
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to inlay or overlay with enamel.
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to form an enamellike surface upon.
to enamel cardboard.
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to decorate as with enamel; variegate with colors.
noun
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a coloured glassy substance, translucent or opaque, fused to the surface of articles made of metal, glass, etc, for ornament or protection
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an article or articles ornamented with enamel
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an enamel-like paint or varnish
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any smooth glossy coating resembling enamel
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another word for nail polish
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the hard white calcified substance that covers the crown of each tooth
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(modifier)
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decorated or covered with enamel
an enamel ring
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made with enamel
enamel paste
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verb
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to inlay, coat, or otherwise decorate with enamel
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to ornament with glossy variegated colours, as if with enamel
-
to portray in enamel
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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enamelernoun
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enamelistnoun
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enamellernoun
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enamelworknoun
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unenameledadjective
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unenamelledadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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enamelsimple
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enamelssimple
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have enameledperfect
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have enamelledperfect
-
has enameledperfect
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has enamelledperfect
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am enamelingprogressive
-
am enamellingprogressive
-
are enamelingprogressive
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are enamellingprogressive
-
is enamelingprogressive
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is enamellingprogressive
-
have been enamelingperfect progressive
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have been enamellingperfect progressive
-
has been enamelingperfect progressive
-
has been enamellingperfect progressive
Past
-
enameledsimple
-
enamelledsimple
-
had enameledperfect
-
had enamelledperfect
-
was enamelingprogressive
-
was enamellingprogressive
-
were enamelingprogressive
-
were enamellingprogressive
-
had been enamelingperfect progressive
-
had been enamellingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of enamel
1275–1325; Middle English enamelen < Anglo-French enameler, enamailler, equivalent to en- en- 1 + -amaler, derivative of asmal, esmal enamel, Old French esmail ( -al taken as the suffix -ail ) < Old Low Franconian *smalt- something melted, cognate with German Schmalz fat; akin to smelt 1; cf. smalto
Explanation
Enamel is the glossy, decorative coating that's applied to metal or pottery to make it prettier and sometimes sturdier. You might cook a casserole in your favorite pot, made of blue enamel. Enamel is used in all kinds of everyday objects, including the surface of washing machines, baking dishes, and some bath tubs. The enamel itself is made from melted powdered glass, which can easily be fused to metal and other surfaces. The outer part of your teeth is also known as enamel, and though sugar and other foods can decay it, your tooth enamel is actually the strongest, hardest substance in your body.
Vocabulary lists containing enamel
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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:
In the short term, pH remained above the threshold associated with enamel damage.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
Tooth enamel can begin to dissolve when the mouth's pH falls below about 5.5.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
When applied to exposed dentine, the gel can grow an enamel like mineral layer over the surface.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
A newly developed dental gel may be able to rebuild damaged tooth enamel, potentially creating a new approach to preventing decay and restoring worn teeth.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
Zooey put a hand on each side of the washbowl and leaned his chest forward a trifle, his eyes on the general background of enamel.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
He works mainly in acrylics mixed with spray paint and enamels for his paintings and murals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 13, 2024
Previously, researchers attempting to construct artificial enamels have struggled to achieve those different levels of organization.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 2, 2022
She painted it with 1 Shot-brand sign lettering enamels mixed with clear enamel and pearlescent powdered pigments.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2020
You can buy the enamels from Rust-Oleum for about $40 a can, by the way.
From US News ● Jul. 18, 2016
He lived at Saintes three centuries ago, and carried with him to the grave the secret of the means by which his beautiful enamels were produced.”
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol IV. No. XX. January, 1852. by Various
Upstairs, the exhibition highlights 19th-century innovations, including the introduction of colored porcelain in celadon, and enameled, painted and gilded pieces.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2025
Whether you choose the mini bucket bag or the Aimée bag, each piece blends charming crochet with polished leather and enameled metal accents — because just like any great summer fling, opposites attract.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2025
Celebrate the outsiders with this enameled stainless-steel camping mug, a collaboration between SODO’s Potluck Press and West Seattle’s Alair gift shop.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
For sale: The historic Decatur Lustron, a “space-age ranch” style home built in 1949 in Decatur, Georgia, from enameled steel panels supplied by a fighter plane factory.
From Washington Times ● May 18, 2023
Blount wore enameled scale, white cloak, and halfhelm.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
At the top is an enamelled dove with outspread wings, which represents the Holy Ghost.
From Reuters ● May 5, 2023
The ornate object, unearthed by Charlie Clarke whilst metal detecting in Warwickshire, is decorated with enamelled motifs and inscriptions and includes a gold chain made up of 75 links.
From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2023
Page is excited to point out that the table is a reflection of the design in the enamelled iron ceiling.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 8, 2018
A stunning necklace, wrought with jewelled and enamelled flowers, fruits, and butterflies, weighed heavily on its display stand.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 21, 2015
A large chest of polished latoun had saints and angels enamelled in the panels.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Which is not to say that enameling has ended as a popular craft or that technical skills have withered.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2016
The award is accompanied by a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso that has been made unique by commemorative engraving and enameling.
From Forbes ● Aug. 30, 2014
The size-12 ring, which commemorates the Giants’ 20-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills in 1991, has two football-shaped diamonds surrounded by “worn blue enameling framed by 17 smaller diamonds,” according to the auction house’s description.
From Washington Post ● May 17, 2012
The craft of enameling is more than 3,000 years old.
From New York Times ● Dec. 10, 2009
In the Middle Ages the secrets of such arts as glass-making, enameling, leather work, gold and silver work, and the making of dyestuffs, were most jealously guarded.
From Masters of the Guild by L. Lamprey
She also watched a demonstration of traditional enamelling and gilding by hand by master artisans before examining several pieces in closer detail.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2022
He sold his patent-rights in a bath-tub enamelling process.
From Time Magazine Archive
The enamelling of thermometers is an invention of Messrs. Negretti and Zambra.
From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Henry Negretti
Fine lines and hatchings are painted as with "silver stain," and in this respect only is there any approach to enamelling in the making of a coloured glass window.
From Arts and Crafts Essays by Members of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society by Various
Alfred Meyer and Grandhomme are both accomplished and careful enamellers; the former is a painter enameller and the author of a book dealing technically with enamelling.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various
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.
