A shelf above a fireplace where items can be placed for decoration
Examples:
The mantel held an array of antique vases and ceramics.A grand clock ticked steadily atop the old stone mantel.Holiday stockings dangled merrily from the mantel's edge.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonyms
Mantle
/ˈmæntl/
An outer layer or covering, often used to describe the Earth's layer under the crust or a cloak worn for warmth.
Examples:
The CEO assumed the mantle of leadership with confidence.She wrapped a warm mantle around her shoulders.Volcanic eruptions can originate from the Earth's mantle.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
Mantel refers to a structure around a fireplace, often used for decorative purposes.
Mantle can refer to a cloak or a type of covering, or metaphorically, a role or responsibility that passes to someone.
When thinking of mantel, imagine a shelf where you might place photos or clock above a fireplace.
Mantle has a broader usage, including in geology where it refers to the layer of the earth.
Remember that mantel is associated with fireplaces, while mantle is more about coverings or roles.