enamel

1 of 2

verb

enam·​el i-ˈna-məl 

enameled or enamelled; enameling or enamelling i-ˈna-mə-liŋ 

-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

i-ˈna-mə-list 

noun

enamelist

2 of 2

noun

enam·​el·​ist

variants or enamellist

-mələ̇st

plural -s

: enameler

Examples of enamel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Both works were oil and enamel on canvas, marked primarily by black paint. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026

Over time, this can lead to enamel erosion. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 13 May 2026

For those partial to verdant hues, brands offered a smorgasbord from malachite, bloodstone and natural aventurine, to enamel and ceramic in a gradient from tenderest tones to ready-to-rumble khaki. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 May 2026

Can that pulsing stream of water damage teeth or enamel? —Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing enamel

• mottled enamel
• porcelain enamel

Rhymes for enamel

• glutamyl
• camel
• hamel
• hamil
• mammal
• trammel

Kids Definition

enamel

1 of 2 verb

enam·​el in-ˈam-əl 

enameled or enamelled; enameling or enamelling -ˈam-(ə-)liŋ 

: 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 

: 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