amulet

noun

am·​u·​let ˈam-yə-lət 

: a charm (such as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to aid the wearer or protect against evil (such as disease or witchcraft)

Synonyms

• charm
• fetish
• fetich
• mascot
• mojo
• periapt
• phylactery
• talisman

Examples of amulet in a Sentence

a small cross made of goat bone was worn in the Middle Ages as an amulet to ward off evil

Recent Examples on the Web

In what is now China, fish carved from jade were worn as amulets, hanging like pendants, as far back as 10,000 B.C. in the Neolithic Age, according to Carol Michaelson, a research curator in the British Museum’s Asia department. —Melanie Abrams, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

The amulet was found near the Tel Azka site, which has regularly yielded archaeological matter. —Alex Greenberger For Artnews, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025

Other stones surrounded the amulet, but this one stood out, her older sister said. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Once, such amulets would have been worn only by grieving mothers, but the martyrs of the Jenin Brigade now belonged to everyone. —Ben Ehrenreich, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin amulētum, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amulet

noun

am·​u·​let ˈam-yə-lət 

: a small object worn as a charm against evil