engrave

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verb en·grave \in-ˈgrāv, en-\

Definition of engrave

engraved

;

engraving

transitive verb
1a : to impress deeply as if with a graver the incident was engraved in his memoryb : to form by incision (as on wood or metal)
2a : to cut figures, letters, or designs on for printing; also : to print from an engraved plate an engraved invitationb : photoengrave

engraver

noun

See engrave defined for English-language learners

See engrave defined for kids

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 of engrave from the Web

One of my friends gave me this silver necklace engraved with this as a simple reminder of my mom.

— leena kim, Town & Country, "All the Jewels Louise Linton Will Wear to Her Wedding This Weekend", 19 June 2017
During his 24 hours on the lam, someone helped Boys separate the handcuffs he was caught wearing -- engraved with Daryle Holloway's name -- and provided him money and new clothing.

— ken daley, NOLA.com, "DA will not seek death penalty for accused cop-killer Travis Boys", 16 June 2017
In addition to his key to Brooklyn, Loso's name was engraved on the Celebrity Walk, along with legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "Fabolous Receives Key to Brooklyn", 12 June 2017
Right-hand rings can also be gifted to mothers upon the birth of a child — for an older mom, a ring engraved with the names of her kids becomes a precious keepsake.

— sarah schreiber, House Beautiful, "The Hidden Meaning Behind "Right-Hand Rings"", 7 June 2017
It was engraved with USS Brumby, which was the ship that Michael Paalan was on.

— jonathan leach, CBS News, ""48 Hours: NCIS:" Body of Evidence", 6 June 2017
A red brick engraved with the Best Family name, encircled with white roses and stones, served as a small memorial in the church courtyard.

— samantha swindler, OregonLive.com, "MAX attack victim Ricky Best remembered as 'martyr'", 5 June 2017
One of Lauscher's Terezin students reportedly wrote a poem that has been engraved into a plaque that will be erected near the new tree at Northbrook Junior High.

— irv leavitt, chicagotribune.com, "Tree with roots in the Holocaust planted in Northbrook", 2 June 2017
To mark the retirement of 22-time major winner Graf, French Open organizers engraved her playing record on the door of her locker, No.19, and gave it to the German as a gift.

— danielle rossingh, CNN, "Locker room confidential: It's Maria Sharapova's 'least favorite place in the world'", 29 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'engrave'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of engrave

Middle French engraver, from en- + graver to grave, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grafan to grave

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First Known Use: 1509

See Words from the same year

ENGRAVE Defined for English Language Learners

engrave

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verb

Definition of engrave for English Language Learners

: to cut or carve lines, letters, designs, etc., onto or into a hard surface

ENGRAVE Defined for Kids

engrave

play

verb en·grave \in-ˈgrāv\

Definition of engrave for Students

engraved

;

engraving

1 : to cut or carve (as letters or designs) on a hard surface an engraved pattern
2 : to cut (as letters or designs) on or into The jeweler engraved the ring with her initials.
3 : to print from a cut surface an engraved invitation