enamel

1 of 2

verb

enam·​el i-ˈna-məl How to pronounce enamel (audio)
enameled or enamelled; enameling or enamelling i-ˈna-mə-liŋ How to pronounce enamel (audio)
-ˈnam-liŋ

transitive verb

1
: to cover, inlay, or decorate with enamel
2
: to beautify with a colorful surface
3
: to form a glossy surface on (a material, such as paper, leather, or cloth)
enameler noun
enamelist noun

enamel

2 of 2

noun

1
: a usually opaque vitreous composition applied by fusion to the surface of metal, glass, or pottery
2
: a surface or outer covering that resembles enamel
3
a
: something that is enameled
4
: a cosmetic intended to give a smooth or glossy appearance
5
: a hard calcareous substance that forms a thin layer capping the teeth see tooth illustration
6
: a paint that flows out to a smooth coat when applied and that dries with a glossy appearance

Examples of enamel in a Sentence

Noun The tea set is decorated with enamel. an artist who works with enamels The museum has a fine collection of enamels.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The dragon’s scales are enameled, with the lower half of the body decorated using paillonné enamel – tiny pieces of gold leaf (paillons) are suspended between layers of translucent enamel, forming the floral monogram. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 More Staub Deals Like Le Creuset, Staub makes a variety of ceramic and enameled cast-iron kitchen wares, like casserole dishes and serving bowls. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 24 Nov. 2023 There are eight colors to choose from, all in Le Creuset’s premium enameled stoneware that distributes heat evenly and promotes uniform browning. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023 The scalloped edges also give you opportunity to create a fun design around the edges. 14 Le Creuset Loaf Pan Now 40% Off $25 at Le Creuset Lesser known than its stoneware and enameled cast iron pieces, Le Creuset also offers ceramic and nonstick options. Ellen McAlpine, Good Housekeeping, 3 Aug. 2023 In a 4- to 5-qt. stainless steel, enameled, or nonstick pot combine water, vinegar, sugar and pickling salt. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2023 Since it’s not enameled, the cast iron will require regular seasoning. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 19 July 2023 Kitchen Deals Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Photograph: Amazon Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 6.75 inches for $280 ($150 off) Williams-Sonoma A classic addition to any kitchen, the Le Creuset enameled cast iron Dutch oven is incredibly solid and built to last. WIRED, 30 June 2023 Material Dutch ovens come in cast iron, enameled, aluminum, and ceramic varieties. Tanya Edwards, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2023
Noun
The bowls hold 3 fluid ounces each and are glazed in a chip-resistant enamel that also helps the bowls retain heat. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024 This chemical compound has strong bleaching properties and might harm your enamel at high concentrations, so is 3% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth whitening? Claire Gillespie, Health, 18 Oct. 2023 Notably, the teeth have smooth enamel, which suggests T. rayanensis survived on squishy foods such as octopus and squid, Jennifer Nalewicki writes for Live Science. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Aug. 2023 Brushing your teeth too much can wear down your enamel and cause receding gums, Tasios said. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 July 2023 After removing the temporaries, Dr. Apa slid in my new veneers, which were then bonded to my current teeth's enamel. Kassidy Silva, Allure, 23 Mar. 2023 Selections from the remarkable bequest of book publisher Alexis Gregory, including Limoges enamels and elegant 18th-century pastels, are now on view at Frick Madison. wsj.com, 5 Apr. 2023 The designer, who in 2017 was appointed a Member Of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth, approaches her work like an artist, using gold, precious stones, and vibrant enamel as her palette. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 28 Nov. 2022 Another signature are his Hybrid stones — gems, such as snowflake obsidian, honey jade and green aventurine, that are cut into a teardrop shape and then partially coated in vibrantly colored, hyper-glossy enamel, which creates the impression that they’re dipped in hot pink paint or molten lava. New York Times, 22 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enamel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French enameller, from en- + asmal, esmal enamel, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smelzan to melt — more at smelt entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enamel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near enamel

Cite this Entry

“Enamel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enamel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

enamel

1 of 2 verb
enam·​el in-ˈam-əl How to pronounce enamel (audio)
enameled or enamelled; enameling or enamelling -ˈam-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce enamel (audio)
: to cover or decorate with enamel

enamel

2 of 2 noun
1
: a glassy substance used to coat the surface of metal, glass, or pottery
2
: a surface that resembles enamel
3
: a very hard outer layer covering the crown of a tooth
4
: a paint that turns to a smooth hard coat when applied and dries with a glossy appearance

Medical Definition

enamel

noun
enam·​el in-ˈam-əl How to pronounce enamel (audio)
: the intensely hard calcareous substance that forms a thin layer partly covering the teeth of many vertebrates including humans, is the hardest substance of the animal body, and consists of minute prisms secreted by ameloblasts, arranged at right angles to the surface, and bound together by a cement substance compare cementum, dentin

More from Merriam-Webster on enamel

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