etch

1 of 2

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 2

noun

1

: the action or effect of etching a surface

2

: a chemical agent used in etching

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

Anticipation builds as the Hokie football team makes its way down the underground tunnel—a legendary walk from the locker room to the field, walls etched with the names of former players. —Christina Daves, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025

As visitors continue to walk straight, the sculpture comes into view at Borglum Court, where on a wall of hewn granite, the names of Rushmore’s almost four hundred workers are etched. —Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025

Noun

Choose an ammonia-free cleaner since ammonia can corrode metals and potentially etch glass over time. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025

To add details, etch swooping lines around the holes by scraping away the pumpkin's outer skin to create contrast. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025

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

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