amulet

noun

am·​u·​let ˈam-yə-lət 

: a charm (such as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to aid the wearer or protect against evil (such as disease or witchcraft)

Synonyms

• charm
• fetish
• fetich
• mascot
• mojo
• periapt
• phylactery
• talisman

Examples of amulet in a Sentence

a small cross made of goat bone was worn in the Middle Ages as an amulet to ward off evil

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, the child was likely the one wearing the bronze bulla, as tradition dictated that boys wear such amulets for protection until adulthood. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025

Ancient Egyptian amulet discovered by 12-year-old girl while hiking on family trip During a family trip near an archaeological site in Hod Hasharon, Israel, Dafna Filshteiner discovered an ancient amulet dating back approximately 3,500 years. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025

What is an ancient scarab amulet, and what was it used for? —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Some graves contained amulets depicting the deities Taweret, Bes, and the Eye of Udjat while skeletal remains in the mass graves further illustrate the site’s long history of burials. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin amulētum, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amulet

noun

am·​u·​let ˈam-yə-lət 

: a small object worn as a charm against evil