Definition

A type of hard, white ceramic that is often shiny and used for making dishes, vases, and other decorative items.

Example

The beautiful vase was made of fine porcelain.

Conversation

I just bought a beautiful porcelain vase for my living room.

That sounds lovely! I really like porcelain pieces.

Yeah, it's so elegant and adds a nice touch to the decor.

Absolutely! I think porcelain items really make a space feel special.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Porcelain originates from the Italian word 'porcellana', which means 'cowrie shell', derived from 'porcella' (meaning little pig) due to the shell's resemblance to a pig's back. The term was later adopted into French as 'porcelaine' before entering English. The word refers to a fine, translucent ceramic material.

Memory Tip

Imagine a cowrie shell, which looks like a little pig's back, to remember that porcelain is a delicate ceramic material named after that shell.

Visually Confused Words