mantel

noun

man·​tel ˈman-tᵊl 

1

a

: a beam, stone, or arch serving as a lintel to support the masonry above a fireplace

b

: the finish around a fireplace

2

: a shelf above a fireplace

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Mantle vs. Mantel

Keeping mantel and mantle straight is relatively simple.

Mantel in modern English largely does one job: it refers to the shelf above a fireplace. You can remember it by thinking of the "el" in both mantel and shelf.

Mantle on the other hand, does many jobs, including a number that are technical or scientific. Its most common uses are to refer to a literal cloak, mostly of the kind worn in days of yore ("she drew her mantle tighter"), and to a figurative cloak symbolizing authority or importance ("taking on the mantle of the museum's directorship"). It also refers to a general covering in literary uses like "wet earth covered in a mantle of leaves" or "a past shrouded in a mantle of secrecy." And it's also the term for the middle layer of the Earth between the crust and the inner core.

There is, however, a catch to these distinctions: mantle is sometimes used (especially in American English) to refer to the shelf above a fireplace as well—that is, as a synonym of mantel.

This isn't terribly surprising, given the histories of the words. They both derive from the Latin word mantellum, which refers both to a cloak and to a beam or stone supporting the masonry above a fireplace. The words came into use in English a couple centuries apart, but were for a time in the past nothing more than spelling variants.

While it's certainly simpler to use mantle in all cases, mantel is significantly more common as the choice for the shelf, which means it's the safer choice in those cases.

Examples of mantel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Downstairs, the eat-in kitchen sports concrete countertops and old-fashioned cupboards, while the library includes a Federal-style fireplace mantel and a window that looks out to the yard. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 May 2025

The couple both wore formal robes and mantels for the occasion, with William donning the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards and Kate wearing a dress by Alexander McQueen. —Nicole Briese, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Patel said his 4 year-old grandson has already run one one-mile race and is planning to take up the running mantel soon enough — though Patel doesn’t intend to stop running soon. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 21 Apr. 2025

Its old-world charm—including the original 1800s exterior, high ceiling, crown moldings, vintage wood cabinets, and fireplace with grand marble mantels—remains largely intact. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, mantle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for mantel

• santal
• dismantle

Kids Definition

mantel

noun

man·​tel ˈmant-ᵊl 

: the beam, stone, arch, or shelf above a fireplace