enamel

/ɛˈnæməl/

/ɪˈnæməl/

Other forms: enamelled; enameled; enamels; enamelling; enameling

Enamel is the glossy, decorative coating that's applied to metal or pottery to make it prettier and sometimes sturdier. You might cook a casserole in your favorite pot, made of blue enamel.

Enamel is used in all kinds of everyday objects, including the surface of washing machines, baking dishes, and some bath tubs. The enamel itself is made from melted powdered glass, which can easily be fused to metal and other surfaces. The outer part of your teeth is also known as enamel, and though sugar and other foods can decay it, your tooth enamel is actually the strongest, hardest substance in your body.

Definitions of enamel

1. noun

   any smooth glossy coating that resembles ceramic glaze
   types:

   nail enamel, nail polish, nail varnish

   a cosmetic lacquer that dries quickly and that is applied to the nails to color them or make them shiny

   type of:

   coat, coating

   a thin layer covering something
2. noun

   a paint that dries to a hard glossy finish
   type of:

   paint, pigment

   a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating
3. noun

   a colored glassy compound (opaque or partially opaque) that is fused to the surface of metal or glass or pottery for decoration or protection
   type of:

   chemical compound, compound

   (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
4. verb

   coat, inlay, or surface with enamel
   type of:

   adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament

   make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.
5. noun

   hard white substance covering the crown of a tooth
   synonyms: tooth enamel

   type of:

   solid body substance

   the solid parts of the body