enamel

verb enam·el \ i-ˈna-məl \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of enamel

enameled or enamelled; enameling or enamelling play \i-ˈnam-liŋ, -ˈna-mə-\

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

play \i-ˈna-mə-list\ noun

See enamel defined for kids

Recent Examples of enamel from the Web

Le Creuset’s classic enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are great for braises, baking bread, and even weeknight pasta.

— melissa minton, Bon Appetit, "Le Creuset to Release New 7-Piece Stainless Steel Collection," 15 Mar. 2018
Photo: Brett Beyer Photography for Bis Bis (2) CRACKLED Lisa Nemrow, a principal of Un-Gyve Group, Boston, uses enameled lava for its durability and stain resistance.

— nancy keates, WSJ, "The Versatile Volcanic Rock That’s Showing Up in Home Décor," 8 Mar. 2018
The new Clover Cocotte is made with Le Creuset's signature enameled cast iron, which is great for retaining and dispersing heat throughout the whole pot while cooking.

— madison alcedo, Country Living, "Le Creuset Just Released a Clover-Shaped Dutch Oven for St. Patrick's Day," 6 Feb. 2018
Prices: Custom enameled basins, $5,000 to $15,000; tiles, $50 to 100 per square foot; countertops, $200 to $400 per square foot, all from Bis Bis, a division of the Un-Gyve Group.

— nancy keates, WSJ, "The Versatile Volcanic Rock That’s Showing Up in Home Décor," 8 Mar. 2018
Terry leans his long frame over the white enameled counter and shares his dreams and delights with the customers.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Ora Bell's: Southern food stand joins Cleveland's West Side Market (photos, video)," 1 Nov. 2017
The sloping 3½-quart enameled cast iron vessel is extremely versatile and can cook paellas, risottos, frittatas, clams or mussels, in addition to braising meats and poultry.

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "Heavyweight Pot for Holiday Entertaining," 16 Oct. 2017
Kohler sells enameled cast iron sinks for around $1,129.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ways to prepare your home for aging in place," 2 Oct. 2017
Glass vases of swirls and squiggles in primary colors compete for attention with a red-and-yellow necklace of enameled metal and rubber.

— brenda cronin, WSJ, "On View: Contradictions of Designer-Architect Ettore Sottsass," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enamel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of enamel

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

enamel

noun

Definition of enamel

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

b : enamelware

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

See enamel defined for English-language learners

Examples of enamel in a Sentence

The tea set is decorated with enamel.
an artist who works with enamels
The museum has a fine collection of enamels.

Recent Examples of enamel from the Web

Four years later, the hospital tried to test the head's DNA, by extracting its tooth -- the part least likely to be contaminated, because of the protective enamel.

— nell lewis, CNN, "FBI cracks the case of the 4,000-year-old mummy's head," 6 Apr. 2018
Super heavy, white interior, no chips, no flaws in the enamel, and the lid fits perfectly.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "People Are Comparing This $50 Dutch Oven to Le Creuset," 2 Apr. 2018
Look no further than Le Creuset’s classic enamel cast-iron dutch oven, which will take home-cooked meals to a whole new level.

— alejandra bennett, Sunset, "10 Delectable Gifts for Foodie Moms," 22 Jan. 2018
There's also a risk of fertility loss, gastrointestinal issues, and dental problems because of the effects of purging on enamel and tooth erosion.

— gracie bonds staples, chicagotribune.com, "Residential facilities can be key in treating eating disorders," 29 Mar. 2018
These bacteria produce acid that eats away at your enamel, the hard outer covering on your teeth.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "Do I Really Need to Brush My Teeth for 2 Minutes Twice a Day?," 13 Mar. 2018
Bagués-Masriera, Passeig de Gràcia 41, 93-216-0174; bagues.com: More than 200 years of history stand behind this glorious jewelry shop specializing in luminous Art Nouveau enamels.

— andrew ferren, ELLE Decor, "ELLE DECOR Goes to Barcelona," 4 Apr. 2011
Restoration experts worked for years to restore the building's original brick and terra cotta exterior, which was covered up in the 1960s with a steel and enamel facade.

— susan glaser, cleveland.com, "The Kimpton Schofield is Cleveland's top hotel, according to U.S. News & World Report (photos)," 6 Feb. 2018
Known as the Reference 765, the pocket watch features a minute repeater, chronograph function, and a white enamel dial, as well as a distinctive watch chain seen in many portraits of the British prime minister.

— laurie brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, "Winning Watches: 5 Timepieces to Spot in This Year’s Crop of Oscar-Nominated Films," 6 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of enamel

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

ENAMEL Defined for English Language Learners

enamel

noun

Definition of enamel for English Language Learners

: a material like colored glass that is heated until it is liquid and then used to decorate the surface of metal, glass, or pottery
: something decorated with enamel
: the very hard outer layer of a tooth

ENAMEL Defined for Kids

enamel

verb enam·el \ i-ˈna-məl \

Definition of enamel for Students

enameled or enamelled; enameling or enamelling

: to cover or decorate with a smooth hard glossy coating

enamel a pot

enamel

noun

Definition of enamel for Students

1 : a glassy substance used to coat the surface of metal, glass, and pottery

2 : the hard outer surface of the teeth

3 : a paint that dries to form a hard glossy coat

Medical Dictionary

enamel

noun enam·el \ in-ˈam-əl \

medical Definition of enamel

: 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