embrace
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.
-
to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly.
to embrace an idea.
-
to avail oneself of.
to embrace an opportunity.
- Synonyms:
- seize
-
to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.).
to embrace Buddhism.
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to take in with the eye or the mind.
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to encircle; surround; enclose.
a secret garden embraced by wild shrubs.
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to include or contain.
An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.
- Antonyms:
- exclude
verb (used without object)
noun
verb (used with object)
verb
-
(also intr) (of a person) to take or clasp (another person) in the arms, or (of two people) to clasp each other, as in affection, greeting, etc; hug
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to accept (an opportunity, challenge, etc) willingly or eagerly
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to take up (a new idea, faith, etc); adopt
to embrace Judaism
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to comprise or include as an integral part
geology embraces the science of mineralogy
-
to encircle or enclose
noun
-
the act of embracing
-
euphemistic (often plural) sexual intercourse
verb
Synonym Usage
See include.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of embrace1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French embracier, equivalent to em- em- 1 + bracier “to embrace,” derivative of brace “the two arms”; see brace
Origin of embrace2
First recorded in 1420–1475; late Middle English: “to influence, prejudice, bribe (a jury),” perhaps the same word as embrace 1
Explanation
To embrace something is to welcome it with open arms, hold, hug, accept completely. You might embrace your sweetheart, or even changes in technology. Embrace is from the French verb embrasser, which started out meaning "to clasp in the arms" (but now includes kissing). You embrace someone by giving her a giant hug, and when you embrace a new idea, it's like your brain gives it a hug. The noun and verb form are similar: If you embrace someone who isn't your sweetheart, you might get caught in an embrace. In Henry IV, Shakespeare writes about a really, really tight embrace: "I will embrace him with a soldier's arm/That he shall shrink under my courtesy."
Vocabulary lists containing embrace
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Of Mice and Men
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Cursor can easily embrace model mixing because its coding software is “model agnostic,” meaning that users can toggle between advanced models from OpenAI, Anthropic, SpaceX, Google and Chinese model-makers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Yet “The Merry Wives of Windsor Cove” succeeds in extending a warm communal embrace to its audience, which is the ultimate aim of this mischievous and kind-hearted comedy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos dropped his undeniable embrace of AI in a letter to shareholders before last week’s earnings call.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
Fasting has long been woven into political life in India, a country where many of the religions its citizens embrace attach moral significance to voluntary self-denial.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
She tucks her chin and curls into his embrace.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
And that’s because Lotus is the only production carmaker that truly embraces the slide.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Stokes remained composed after England's 160-run defeat, which confirms a 2-1 series loss, sharing embraces with his opposition and briefly waving to the crowd after his post-match interviews.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
While Mrs. Bennet abhors glasses on women, Mary embraces them, the better to read her books with.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
A younger generation embraces the benefits of tax-free investment growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
When Auntie Nina comes in, she embraces Tūtū and gently kisses her cheek.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
He’s embraced the defensive/pitcher-management side of his job as his top priority.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Although the chief justice later withdrew the comment, Dipke embraced the label, turning the cockroach into the movement's symbol.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
When brilliant Spain teenager Lamine Yamal embraced a tearful Lionel Messi at the end of the World Cup final, it looked and felt symbolic.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
County leaders initially embraced Rucci’s plan, pointing to the promise of an estimated $28 million in annual tax revenue and 1,600 construction jobs in one of California’s poorer corners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
He embraced her without a word, hoping that was enough.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Matt Damon is embracing a new chapter in life—and his Oscr-worthy real estate portfolio reflects the family-first priorities that have guided him for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Matt Damon is embracing a new chapter in life—and his carefully curated real estate portfolio reflects the family-first priorities that have guided him for years.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
As the full-time whistle blew, cementing Spain's victory, the pair could be seen embracing on the pitch.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
His friends say Otero Alcantara is embracing his newfound freedom.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
“Good to see you, man,” he said, embracing Moss.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
