smalto

enamel

noun ZMAHL-toh Rare

Origin: From Old High German smelzan (to smelt/melt), via Old French esmail.

Also means

nail polish

Usage Note

Smalto has three common meanings learners should distinguish: smalto per le unghie (nail polish/varnish), the vitreous smalto coating on ceramic tiles or metalwork (enamel), and in dentistry lo smalto dei denti (tooth enamel). Context always disambiguates. Its plural is gli smalti.

Examples

"Si mette sempre lo smalto rosso sulle unghie."

Natural Translation

She always puts red nail polish on her nails.

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