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

This discovery, along with other signs like a Star of David engraved next to a cross on the town’s war memorial and the presence of the building that once housed the B’nai Israel synagogue downtown, hinted at Lancaster’s former Jewish community. —Austin Reid, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024

The video then brings that engraving to life, with humans edited into the engraving. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Nov. 2024

Later on, the pair venture out and happen across a large rock where the name of the student’s late father has been engraved. —David Opie, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024

Battle of the Badges finished with a trophy ceremony, with Washington doling out laurels specially engraved for the event. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 15 Nov. 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