Definition of 'enamel'

Word Frequency

enamel

(ɪnæməl )

Word forms: plural enamels

1. variable noun [oft NOUN noun]

Enamel is a substance like glass which can be heated and put onto metal, glass, or pottery in order to decorate or protect it.

...a white enamel saucepan on the oil stove.

...enamel baths.

2. variable noun [oft NOUN noun]

Enamel is a hard, shiny paint that is used especially for painting metal and wood.

...enamel polymer paints.

He relied on translucent enamels to produce vivid, glowing pictures.

3. uncountable noun

Enamel is the hard white substance that forms the outer part of a tooth.

Word Frequency

enamel in British

(ɪˈnæməl )

noun

a coloured glassy substance, translucent or opaque, fused to the surface of articles made of metal, glass, etc, for ornament or protection

an article or articles ornamented with enamel

an enamel-like paint or varnish

any smooth glossy coating resembling enamel

5. another word for nail polish

the hard white calcified substance that covers the crown of each tooth

7. (modifier)

decorated or covered with enamel

an enamel ring

made with enamel

enamel paste

verb -els, -elling, -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled (transitive)

to inlay, coat, or otherwise decorate with enamel

to ornament with glossy variegated colours, as if with enamel

10.

to portray in enamel

Derived forms

enameller (eˈnameller), enamellist (eˈnamellist) or US enameler (eˈnameler) or enamelist (eˈnamelist)

noun

enamelwork (eˈnamelˌwork)

noun

Word origin of 'enamel'

C15: from Old French esmail, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German smalz lard; see smelt1

Word Frequency

enamel in American

(ɛˈnæməl ; enamˈəl; ɪˈnæməl ; inamˈəl)

noun

a glassy, colored, opaque substance fused to surfaces of metals, glass, and pottery as an ornamental or protective coating

any smooth, hard, glossy coating or surface like enamel

the hard, white, glossy coating of the crown of a tooth

anything enameled; enameled ware or a piece of jewelry, etc. produced in enamel

paint that produces a smooth, hard, glossy surface when it dries

verb transitiveWord forms: enˈameled or enˈamelled, enˈameling or enˈamelling

to inlay or cover with enamel

to decorate in various colors, as if with enamel

to form an enamel-like surface on

Word origin of 'enamel'

ME enamelen < Anglo-Fr enamayller < en- (see en-1) + amayl < OFr esmail, enamel < Gmc *smalts, a glaze, melted substance: for IE base see smelt1

Example sentences containing 'enamel'

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For very damaged teeth, bonding is a process carried out by your dentist and involves painting enamel back on to the teeth where it has been lost. The Sun (2016)They weaken the tooth enamel and brushing too soon causes damage. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The cheerful room was panelled and framed in pine with a white enamel finish. Eaton, John P & Haas, Charles A Titanic - Destination disaster (1987)Researchers left a tooth in various drinks for an hour and measured the damage to surface enamel. The Sun (2013)They may also have dental problems such as a delay in teeth coming through or weak tooth enamel. The Sun (2011)They blame the rise on trendy diet drinks which are so acidic they strip the surface tooth enamel. The Sun (2010)It most commonly involves removing healthy enamel and tooth tissue so that veneers can be cemented to the front of the teeth. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Rub off any loose paint with wire wool, then touch up chips with enamel metal paint. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Its modest "effects," compact of enamel paint and ingenuity, spoke to him in the language just then sweetest to his ear. Edith Wharton The House of Mirth (1905)