Definitions
01tooth covering
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine
n. the hard, white outer layer that covers and protects your teeth.
n. the hard, highly mineralised substance that forms the outer protective layer of the crown of a tooth.
“Drinking too many sugary sodas can damage the enamel on your teeth.”
“Acid erosion can lead to the permanent loss of tooth enamel, exposing the sensitive dentin underneath and increasing the risk of cavities.”
02glassy coating
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. a smooth, shiny coating baked onto metal, glass, or clay objects to protect them.
n. an opaque or semi-transparent glassy substance applied to metallic or ceramic surfaces for protection or decoration.
“The blue enamel on the vintage cooking pot was still bright and shiny.”
“The artisan applied several layers of vitreous enamel to the copper base before firing it in the kiln at high temperatures.”
03glossy paint
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. a type of paint that dries to a very hard, smooth, and shiny finish.
n. a paint that air-dries to a hard, usually glossy, finish, used for coating surfaces that are in outdoor qualities or otherwise subject to wear.
“He used a white enamel paint for the window frames to make them easy to clean.”
“The contractor recommended a high-quality exterior enamel for the metal railings to prevent rust and maintain a polished appearance.”
04to coat a surface
C2 · Proficiency Technical · Formal
v. to cover something with a hard, shiny layer of enamel.
v. to coat, decorate, or provide a glossy finish to a surface with enamel.
Español:esmaltar
“The jeweler decided to enamel the pendant with a deep red color.”
“The process to enamel the dial of a luxury watch requires extreme precision to ensure the surface remains perfectly level and free of bubbles.”
Real-World Examples
“Repeated vomiting associated with some eating disorders can erode tooth enamel , while higher sugar consumption is associated with greater tooth decay .” “The pockets are stretched out, some are torn, and it’s permanently stained with old oil-based enamel that will not come off.” Etymology
From Middle English enamel, from Anglo-Norman enamailler, from en- (“in-”) + amailler (“to enamel”), variant of Old French esmailler (“to enamel”), from esmal (“enamel”), from Early Medieval Latin smaltum, from Frankish smalt, from Proto-Germanic smeltaną (“to melt, smelt”).
From Middle English enamelen, from the noun (see above).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
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- Level
- C1 · Advanced
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englishreference.com/q/enamel
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0