WordGarden.ioporcelain
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɔːsɪlˌɪn/
US
- /ˈpɔrsələn/
Meanings
Noun
a hard fine ceramic material and objects made from it
Adjective
made of porcelain
smooth, pale, and delicate in appearance
Beyond the definition
Porcelain is not just about pretty teacups; it carries a long story from ancient China. It is a hard, fine kind of ceramic, often white and sometimes thin enough to let a little light pass through. Think of the best china used for special meals; that is often made of porcelain. The word also has a second use: people sometimes say someone has a "porcelain complexion" when their skin looks very pale, smooth, and clear.
You'll find porcelain used in everything from decorative figurines and bathroom fixtures to dental crowns and even electrical insulators! It's a versatile material that blends artistry and practicality. A delicate porcelain doll might be treasured for generations, while sturdy porcelain tiles can withstand years of wear and tear.
Porcelain is a white, translucent ceramic material known for its hardness, strength, and beauty. Its origins trace back to ancient China, where it was initially prized as a luxury good traded along the Silk Road. The secret to creating true porcelain—involving specific clay mixtures and high-temperature firing—remained closely guarded for centuries.
The word "porcelain" itself comes from the Italian word porcellana, meaning "little pig," because early European traders noticed that the material resembled the smooth, pale shell of the cowrie (which they thought looked like a young pig). While seemingly odd, this connection highlights how unfamiliar and exotic the material once was to the Western world.
Today, porcelain is widely used for creating tableware (like plates and cups), decorative objects (such as figurines and vases), bathroom fixtures (sinks and toilets), and even industrial components (electrical insulators). Its durability and resistance to water make it ideal for these applications.
Beyond its physical properties, "porcelain" can also be used figuratively to describe a person's complexion—specifically, very pale, smooth, and clear skin. Saying "she had a porcelain face" suggests delicate beauty and an almost ethereal quality.
So whether you're admiring a beautifully crafted teacup or describing someone with strikingly fair skin, "porcelain" evokes images of refinement, delicacy, and enduring elegance—a testament to its rich history and versatile nature.
Examples
- 1
Tableware
She poured tea into a thin porcelain cup.
- 2
Fragile objects
The old vase is made of porcelain, so wrap it carefully before you move it.
- 3
Bathroom fixture
There was a small crack in the white porcelain sink.
- 4
Museum collection
The museum has a collection of Chinese porcelain from the eighteenth century.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Appearance
The child in the painting has porcelain skin and dark eyes.
- Phraseporcelain skin
very pale, smooth skin
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- bone china
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- porcelain cup
- porcelain tile
- porcelain doll
Word family
- porcelaneous
Explore
- kaolin
- glaze
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- porcelainnoun
Forms
- porcelainspluralnoun