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 of engrave

• etch
• inscribe
• carve

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

One ring found Thursday was engraved with characters believed to be Bhrami script, an ancient Indian writing system. — Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

The rifle contained one spent cartridge casing and three unfired rounds, which were each engraved with messages, said Sergeant Jennifer Faumuina, an investigator with the State Bureau of Investigation called to testify by prosecutors. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has sparked controversy by engraving the names of his wife and five children on the Stanley Cup. — Eric MacRamalla, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Nobody should’ve been surprised to see Tom Dundon’s name engraved on the Stanley Cup. — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 10 July 2026

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

Rhymes for engrave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave
• architrave

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