emboss

1 of 2

verb (1)

em·​boss im-ˈbäs 

-ˈbȯs

embossed; embossing; embosses

transitive verb

1

: to raise the surface of into bosses

especially : to ornament with raised work

2

: to raise in relief from a surface

3

: adorn, embellish

embossable

im-ˈbä-sə-bəl 

-ˈbȯ-

adjective

embosser

im-ˈbä-sər 

-ˈbȯ-

noun

embossment

im-ˈbä-smənt 

-ˈbȯ-

noun

emboss

2 of 2

verb (2)

embossed; embossing; embosses

transitive verb

archaic

: to drive (a hunted animal) to bay or to exhaustion

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• decorate
• adorn

Examples of emboss in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the simple country church has an aura of serene spirituality that is often missing in more embossed houses of worship

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The hangers are embossed with an antiquated A for Augustine. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 7 July 2025

The simple, vegan leather tote, embossed with the brand’s logo, became a symbol of accessibility and inclusivity. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

But several former officers recalled seeing Klu Klux Klan memorabilia — pamphlets, a wallet and a comb embossed with a KKK logo — in the police department. —Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Those patterns were embossed into the surface of flat polystyrene chips, which were subsequently inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other types of bacteria. —New Atlas, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English embosen, from Middle French embocer, from en- + boce boss

Verb (2)

Middle English embosen to become exhausted from being hunted, ultimately from Anglo-French bois woods

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emboss

• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• blas

Kids Definition

emboss

verb

em·​boss

im-ˈbäs,

-ˈbȯs

: to decorate with a raised pattern or design

embosser noun

embossment

-mənt

noun