embody

verb

em·​body im-ˈbä-dē 

embodied; embodying

transitive verb

1

: to give a body to (a spirit) : incarnate

2

a

: to deprive of spirituality

b

: to make concrete and perceptible

3

: to cause to become a body or part of a body : incorporate

4

: to represent in human or animal form : personify

… men who greatly embodied the idealism of American life …

—A. M. Schlesinger born 1917

embodier noun

Synonyms of embody

• integrate
• incorporate
• assimilate

Examples of embody in a Sentence

The legislature embodied a revenue provision in the new law.

they must embody their ideas in substantial institutions if they are to survive

Recent Examples on the Web

The rapidly approaching future and vanishing past are all around her, which Horgan embodies beautifully in a brief but wrenching scene when Ruari first leaves for school. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026

Espresso brown is the rich, autumnal color that embodies sultry sophistication and effortless cool. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026

Wong embodied a model of how to reinvent oneself in the face of the most daunting societal obstacles. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Despite the very name of their publication, the Vogue staffers weren’t buying into the fads — and that spoke to something which La Ligne tries to embody. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embody

• blackbody
• samadhi
• somebody
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi

Kids Definition

embody

verb

em·​body im-ˈbäd-ē 

embodied; embodying

1

: to give definite form to

embodied her ideas in suitable words

2

: to cause to become a body or a part of a body or system

the Constitution embodies the fundamental laws of the United States

3

: to represent in visible form

a leader who embodies courage

embodier noun