incarnate

American  

[in-kahr-nit, -neyt, in-kahr-neyt] / ɪnˈkɑr nɪt, -neɪt, ɪnˈkɑr neɪt /

adjective

1. embodied in flesh; given a bodily, especially a human, form.

   a devil incarnate.

2. personified or typified, as a quality or idea.

   chivalry incarnate.

3. flesh-colored or crimson.

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verb (used with object)

incarnated, incarnating

1. to put into or represent in a concrete form, as an idea.

   The building incarnates the architect's latest theories.

2. to be the embodiment or type of.

   Her latest book incarnates the literature of our day.

3. to embody in flesh; invest with a bodily, especially a human, form.

   a man who incarnated wisdom and compassion.

incarnate British  

adjective

1. possessing bodily form, esp the human form

   a devil incarnate

2. personified or typified

   stupidity incarnate

3. (esp of plant parts) flesh-coloured or pink

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verb

1. to give a bodily or concrete form to

2. to be representative or typical of

Other Word Forms

• nonincarnate
  adjective
• nonincarnated
  adjective
• unincarnate
  adjective
• unincarnated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of incarnate

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Late Latin incarnātus, past participle of incarnāre “to make into flesh,” equivalent to in- “in” + carn- “flesh” + -ātus past participle suffix; see in- ², carnal, -ate ¹

Explanation

Incarnate means “having a bodily form.” If you encounter someone who pulls off butterflies’ wings for fun, you might describe that person as “evil incarnate.” The meaning of incarnate is precisely what its Latin roots suggest. The prefix in- means “in” and caro means “flesh,” so incarnate means “in the flesh.” The word can be used in positive or negative situations, but it always describes an unusual, possibly miraculous instance in which something that can’t normally be seen or touched assumes a bodily form. For example, the Christian religion was founded on the belief that Jesus was God incarnate.

Example Sentences

Ward played at three schools in his college football odyssey, beginning as a zero-star prospect at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, before moving on to Washington State and Miami.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2025

The 22-year-old racked up 39 touchdown passes and 4,313 yards as he wrapped up a five-year college career, which included two-year stints with Incarnate Word and Washington State.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2025

He followed his Incarnate Word coach, Eric Morris, who was offensive coordinator under Dickert last season.

From Washington Times • Sep. 26, 2023

“Nothing really excites me as much as emergency medicine,” said Traylor, who studies at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine in San Antonio.

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2023

My grandma was in her junior year of studying nursing at Incarnate Word College, and she’d gone with a girlfriend to a party.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles