engrave

verb

en·​grave in-ˈgrāv 

en-

engraved; engraving

transitive verb

1

a

: to impress deeply as if with a graver

the incident was engraved in his memory

b

: to form by incision (as on wood or metal)

2

a

: to cut figures, letters, or designs on for printing

also : to print from an engraved plate

an engraved invitation

b

: photoengrave

engraver noun

Synonyms

• etch
• grave
• incise
• inscribe
• insculp [archaic]

Examples of engrave in a Sentence

They will engrave your initials on the ring for free.

She had the ring engraved with her initials.

The image was engraved on the plaque.

Recent Examples on the Web

To track the flow of and payment for goods, tradespeople then used cylinders with designs engraved upon them. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

The brand will also soon launch a range of hair accessories including hair clips and pins, that can be engraved with initials, giving Buly’s popular lip balms and soaps a run for their money as go-to Christmas gifts. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

In addition, their names are engraved on commemorative plaques on every ship across the fleet. —Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Nosferatu, the perfume, is engraved with Count Orlok’s sigil and cost $125 for a 30ml bottle. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French engraver, from en- + graver to grave, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grafan to grave

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing engrave

• re-engrave

Kids Definition

engrave

verb

en·​grave in-ˈgrāv 

engraved; engraving

1

: to impress deeply

the incident was engraved in my memory

2

a

: to cut or carve (as letters or designs) on a hard surface

b

: to cut lines, letters, figures, or designs on or into (a hard surface) often for use in printing

c

: to print from a cut surface

an engraved wedding invitation

engraver noun