# porcelain

/ˈpɔɹsəɫən/ (US) · /pˈɔːsɪlˌɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/porcelain
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the material

noun · CEFR B2

a strong but delicate white ceramic material used for making high-quality dishes and ornaments.

For teachers: a hard, white, translucent ceramic made by firing pure clay at very high temperatures. Uncountable in its material sense.

- The museum has a beautiful collection of ancient Chinese porcelain.
- The artisan explained that the translucent quality of the porcelain was achieved through a precise mixture of kaolin and feldspar fired at extreme heat.

### 2. objects made of porcelain

noun · CEFR B2

items like plates, cups, or statues that are made from this white ceramic.

For teachers: individual objects or a collection of items, particularly tableware or art, manufactured from porcelain. Often used as a collective noun.

- We only use the fine porcelain for special family dinners.
- The auction house specialised in eighteenth-century European porcelain, including several rare figurines from the Meissen factory.

### 3. to coat with enamel

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cover a surface with a hard, shiny coating that looks like porcelain.

For teachers: to apply a porcelain enamel coating to a surface, typically metal, for protection or decoration.

- The manufacturer decided to porcelain the interior of the oven for easier cleaning.
- Industrial vats are often porcelained to provide a non-reactive surface that can withstand corrosive chemical processes.

## Examples

- The tea is served in delicate porcelain cups.
- The museum displays a rare collection of 18th-century porcelain vases that were imported from East Asia.
- While the exterior of the building was made of rough stone, the interior was decorated with intricate porcelain tiles that reflected the soft morning light.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.