emboss

1 of 2

verb (1)

em·​boss im-ˈbäs How to pronounce emboss (audio)
-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
embossable adjective
embosser
im-ˈbä-sər How to pronounce emboss (audio)
-ˈbȯ-
noun
embossment noun

emboss

2 of 2

verb (2)

embossed; embossing; embosses

transitive verb

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

Examples of emboss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Pure Color Creme Lipstick Everything about this lipstick—from the gold case and embossed bullet to its buttery texture and rich shades — feels elegant. People Staff, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023 Each bottle is embossed with steel from the World Trade Center towers. cleveland, 14 Sep. 2023 Each of the shimmery new shades is named for a different part of the museum’s Richelieu Wing, and the sculpture of the Greek poet Corine housed there is embossed in the makeup and appears on the case. Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2023 Each morning, 125 students in grades nine through 12, all from the local Romani community, enter the school grounds beneath a brass plaque embossed in both Hungarian and Hindi. Marc Loustau, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Sep. 2023 The flag should not be embroidered, printed, or embossed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything that will be discarded. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023 Mollison inspects the new cutlery that just arrived from David Mellor in London — embossed with Superfrico’s mascot, the Penguin. Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2023 The first edition comes in a moss green hardcover case embossed with a leaf pattern and a golden heron, with an outer cover made of craft paper. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 18 July 2023 Carlos Barria—Reuters Jessica Castillo, a Resolution Copper employee, wears a belt buckle with mine shaft 10 embossed on it at the company's facility in Superior, Ariz. on March 30, 2021. Time, 17 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emboss.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of emboss was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near emboss

Cite this Entry

“Emboss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emboss. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

emboss

verb
em·​boss
im-ˈbäs,
-ˈbȯs
: to decorate with a raised pattern or design
embosser noun
embossment
-mənt
noun

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