mantelpiece

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The shelf above a fireplace, where people often put clocks, photographs, cards, or decorations.

   Grammar: Countable; usually 'on the mantelpiece'.

   Patterns

   • on the mantelpiece
   • above the mantelpiece

   She propped the birthday cards along the mantelpiece.

   An antique clock ticked softly on the mantelpiece.

   Family photographs crowded the mantelpiece.

2. 2nouncountable

   The whole decorative frame around a fireplace, including the shelf and its supports.

   Grammar: Countable; in this sense 'mantel' is the more usual word in American English.

   Patterns

   • a carved mantelpiece

   The house has a marble mantelpiece in the dining room.

   Workers carefully restored the oak mantelpiece.

   The mantelpiece was painted white to match the walls.

Word forms

Common combinations

on the mantelpiece

The invitation sat on the mantelpiece for weeks.

marble mantelpiece

A marble mantelpiece framed the fireplace.

above the mantelpiece

A mirror hung above the mantelpiece.

clock on the mantelpiece

The clock on the mantelpiece chimed twice.

decorate the mantelpiece

We decorate the mantelpiece with candles every December.

Synonyms and how they differ

mantel

Mantel is the shorter form and in American English it is the usual word, while mantelpiece is more common in British English.

mantelshelf

Mantelshelf refers only to the shelf, so it is more precise than mantelpiece, which can also mean the whole surround.

chimneypiece

Chimneypiece is an older, rarer word for the decorative frame, so it sounds dated beside mantelpiece.

Word family

mantel noun

the shelf or frame over a fireplace

mantle noun

a loose cloak, or a role of responsibility

piece noun

part of the compound meaning a portion or item

Commonly confused: mantelpiece or mantle?

Practice

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