etch

verb

\ ˈech

etched; etching; etches

Definition of etch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : to produce (something, such as a pattern or design) on a hard material by eating into the material's surface (as by acid or laser beam)

b : to subject to such etching

2 : to delineate or impress clearly scenes etched in our minds pain was etched on his features

intransitive verb

: to practice etching

etch

noun

Definition of etch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the action or effect of etching a surface

2 : a chemical agent used in etching

Other Words from etch Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about etch

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Synonyms for etch

Synonyms: Verb

engrave, grave, incise, inscribe, insculp [archaic]

Examples of etch in a Sentence

Verb

etched an identification number on the back of the television glass that has been etched with an identification number

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

To limit this spread, the researchers used a laser to etch into an already superhydrophobic surface a series of patterns of small rings. — The Economist, "How to make a better raincoat with tiny “water bowls”," 4 July 2019 The handmade Bistro teak place setting is equal parts accessible and chic—chunky enough to grip comfortably, slender enough to etch out a sleek profile at the table. — Gabriella Gershenson, WSJ, "A Few of Our Favorite Food Things Right Now," 6 Sep. 2018 So if one of these guys is seizing this opportunity and wants to etch his name in stone going forward, that's fantastic. — Teddy Greenstein, chicagotribune.com, "Hoop dreamer: White Sox slugger Daniel Palka's tall tale of basketball greatness," 13 June 2018 The 5-foot-3 senior midfielder has used her speed and athletic ability to etch her name in the Bishop McDevitt girls’ lacrosse record books. — Mike Owens, Philly.com, "Suzanna Cantwell nets 200th career goal to make Bishop McDevitt girls' lacrosse history," 2 May 2018 Some baristas also used coffee straws or toothpicks to etch designs into the foam. — Patricia Talorico, USA TODAY, "Selfie latte? Coffee shop machine will turn your face into foamy art," 26 Mar. 2018 No one on the roster has his name etched on the Cup, and only one — agitating winger David Perron — has previous experience in the Final. — Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, "For Game 7, Bruins are counting on their Stanley Cup experience," 11 June 2019 In his five seasons in Arizona, Palmer etched his name across team record books. — Katherine Fitzgerald, azcentral, "Carson Palmer on Cardinals' Ring of Honor: 'I don't think I quite grasp the magnitude'," 5 June 2019 For years, Corcoran’s family has fought to have the names etched on the wall. — Tylisa C. Johnson, Philly.com, "74 sailors died during a Vietnam warfare exercise, but their names aren't on D.C. memorial," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

From the clearing where we’d laid out our tents and camp pads, the opposite bank of the river was barely perceptible except for a faint Etch-a-Sketch panorama of sandstone buttes and towers. — Jim Buchta, chicagotribune.com, "Call of the Colorado River leads to a family pilgrimage," 11 Aug. 2017

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