etch

verb \ ˈech \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of etch

etched; etching; etches

1 a : 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

—

etcher

noun

See etch defined for English-language learners

See etch defined for kids

Examples of etch in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of etch from the Web

Somewhere, etched into a tablet in a cave, is this saying: Nerds beget nerds.

— sarah mupo, STAT, "The 39 best health and science books to read this summer," 25 June 2018
Throughout his venerated career, Tip Harris has earned a plethora of platinum plaques, etched his name on the walls of rap, and has sparred with several MCs in hopes of trouncing the competition.

— carl lamarre, Billboard, "T.I. Reveals His Favorite Roles, Talks J Prince's Business Influence & Explains Kanye West's Current Mind-Set," 18 June 2018
Your name etched on a bottle opener, a license plate, a flashing keychain, a pair of dice.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter Two: By a Thread," 16 May 2018
Sethaler was new in the position the first time Pratt attended, and her first night is etched into his memory, and when contrasted against who Pratt is today, is one of the earliest defining moments for him.

— matt dutton, The Seattle Times, "EXCHANGE: Quincy program helps student overcome anxiety," 12 May 2018
Simon Gröblacher, a physicist at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and his colleagues etched beams about 10 micrometers long into silicon chips.

— gabriel popkin, Science | AAAS, "Einstein’s ‘spooky action at a distance’ spotted in objects almost big enough to see," 25 Apr. 2018
Meredith etched his signature on a two-year deal maxing out at nearly $10 million.

— larry holder, NOLA.com, "Willie Snead's rise and fall with Saints ends in departure to Baltimore," 23 Apr. 2018
On September 6, 1995, American sports’ all-time Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr., etched his legend in stone.

— adam cohen, Smithsonian, "Baseball Legend Cal Ripken Jr. Takes Home Another Award, This Time From the Smithsonian," 20 Apr. 2018
The new fragrance is available now from Mugler, and like the rest of the collection, comes in an Art Deco–style etched glass bottle.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Mugler’s New Perfume Was Inspired by Gardens and Monks," 8 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of etch

Dutch etsen, from German ätzen to etch, corrode, from Old High German azzen to feed; akin to Old High German ezzan to eat — more at eat

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1634

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

etch Synonyms

Synonyms

brand, engrave, impress, imprint, infix, ingrain (also engrain);

Near Antonyms

blot out, erase, expunge, obliterate;

fix, set, stamp;

etch

noun

Definition of etch

1 : the action or effect of etching a surface

2 : a chemical agent used in etching

Recent Examples of etch from the Web

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