etch

1 of 3

verb

ˈech 

etched; etching; etches

transitive verb

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

etch

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: the action or effect of etching a surface

2

: a chemical agent used in etching

etcher

3 of 3

noun (2)

etch·​er

ˈechə(r)

plural -s

: one that etches: such as

a

: an artist who hand-etches on metal or glass

b(1)

: one that hand-etches copper or steel plates for use in printing

(2)

: a worker who immerses such plates in the acid-etching solution

c

: one that dips a copper roller for use in printing textiles into an acid bath to etch the design previously scratched on its surface

d

: one that etches designs, trademarks, figures, or numbers on cutlery or firearms by hand or machine

e

: a worker who cleans metal airplane parts with an acid to prepare them for welding

Synonyms of etch

Verb

• engrave
• inscribe
• carve
• sculpt
• grave
• trace

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

Evidence of this residue can be seen as water spots or etching glass surfaces, clean laundry that feels stiff and scratchy, and toilet bowl rings that trap bacteria. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

Adidas cleats that are etched in the light blue and white hues of his country. — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

Noun

For marble and natural stone, Flores recommends using Swiffer's dry cloths and a pH-neutral cleanser specifically formulated to keep polished stone etch-free. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026

Ichor Holdings — Shares soared 37% to a 52-week high after the maker of semiconductor equipment parts said strong demand for etch and deposition intensity services fueled a fourth-quarter earnings beat. — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1634, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for etch

• fetch
• fletch
• ketch
• sketch
• stretch
• vetch
• wretch

Kids Definition

etch

verb

ˈech

1

a

: to produce (as a pattern or design) on a hard material by lines eaten into the material's surface (as by acid or laser beam)

b

: to produce a pattern or design on by such etching

etched glass

an etched silicon chip

2

: to outline or impress clearly

migrating ducks etched against the sky

etcher noun