mantel

or man·tle

[ man-tl ]

noun

1. a construction framing the opening of a fireplace and usually covering part of the chimney breast in a more or less decorative manner.
2. Also called mantelshelf. a shelf above a fireplace opening.

mantel

/ ˈmæntəl /

noun

1. a wooden or stone frame around the opening of a fireplace, together with its decorative facing
2. Also calledmantel shelf a shelf above this frame

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantel¹

1480–90; earlier mantell mantelet; variant of mantle

Word History and Origins

Origin of mantel¹

C15: from French, variant of mantle

Example Sentences

Inside, a golden “V” for Vance sat atop a living room mantel.

From Los Angeles Times

A framed “7th Heaven” poster rested on the mantel behind them.

From Los Angeles Times

A fire burned beneath a marble mantel in there.

From Literature

What first jumped out to Duvall was the almost 120-year-old original wallpaper in its dining room and the sandstone used for its porch columns and mantel.

From Seattle Times

There were new saints from the New Orleans house on the mantel now, cheering and clapping at her, and protection orbs hung from the ceiling.

From Literature

Related Words

• mantelpiece

More About Mantel

What does mantel mean?

A mantel is the frame around the opening of a fireplace.

Mantel also commonly refers to a shelf above the fireplace (which may or may not be attached to the other kind of mantel). This shelf can also be called a mantelshelf.

Both senses of mantel can also be spelled mantle. (The word mantle has many other meanings.)

Synonyms for mantel include mantlepiece, mantelboard, and chimneypiece.

Example: This mantel will need to be replaced since the wood is rotting, but the fireplace itself looks solid.

Where does mantel come from?

The first records of the word mantel come from the late 1400s. It’s a variant of the word mantle, which is recorded before 900 and ultimately derives from the Latin mantellum, from mantum, meaning “coat” or “cloak.”

A mantel can be thought of as a kind of protective coat for a fireplace. Mantels were once often extensions of the manteltree, a large piece of wood or stone that went above a fireplace to support the structure. Today, though, most mantels are decorative, meaning they’re not a structural element of the fireplace or chimney. Instead, they’re simply constructed over top. Mantels are usually made of wood or stone.

The kind of mantel that’s a shelf above the fireplace is often a place where people display photos, clocks, and decorative objects. People who celebrate Christmas often hang stockings from this mantel.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to mantel?

• mantle (alternate spelling)

What are some synonyms for mantel?

• mantelshelf
• mantlepiece
• mantelboard
• chimneypiece

What are some words that share a root or word element with mantel? 

• mantelet
• mantlet
• manta
• manteau
• mantelletta

What are some words that often get used in discussing mantel?

• fireplace
• chimney
• shelf
• wooden
• stone
• stockings

How is mantel used in real life?

Mantel is perhaps most commonly used to refer to the shelf above a fireplace.

how can anyone hate smug villagers….this one literally has a self portrait on the mantel pic.twitter.com/rSoUGULMQU

— Katie Chironis (@kchironis) May 9, 2020

i'm getting a fireplace just so I can hang this above the mantel pic.twitter.com/2IlUdkwlTF

— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) February 20, 2018

Pretty should that thing needs to be framed and placed on the mantel above the fire place for sure

— Matt Wittwer (@MattyWittwer) January 18, 2019

 

 

Try using mantel!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for mantel? 

A. mantlepiece
B. chimneypiece
C. chimney
D. mantelboard