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.
-
to take in with the eye or the mind.
-
to encircle; surround; enclose.
a secret garden embraced by wild shrubs.
-
to include or contain.
An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects.
- Antonyms:
- exclude
verb (used without object)
noun
-
embraces
plural
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
-
to accept (an opportunity, challenge, etc) willingly or eagerly
-
to take up (a new idea, faith, etc); adopt
to embrace Judaism
-
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
Love Letter Words for Valentine's Day
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Of Mice and Men
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Of Mice and Men"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
In 2019, they revealed that it was the very first home they toured together while searching for a place where they could embrace the small-town lifestyle they envisioned.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
In the wake of the “Obsession” craze, however, Navarrette has reveled in seeing Latinos embrace her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
Perhaps if viewers don’t see Pitt as much, they’ll forget the allegations and embrace him once more as a movie star.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
Employees there trade doomsday scenarios and how to prepare for them on a private Slack channel, and have come to embrace a motto they stick on their laptops: “Things will never be chill again.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
Mrs. Maroney took a slight step backward, away from my aunt’s friendly embrace.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
A prominent economist doesn’t fear artificial intelligence, but fully embraces it in portfolios.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
The kitchen, meanwhile, embraces classic New York City style with dark wood cabinetry, ample storage, and modern appliances.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
"Imagine a grandfather who silently embraces you every day, listens to you, and has always been strong and full of life," she says.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Dostoevsky follows the narrator over four nights and a morning during which he ceases living in his imagination and embraces reality for the first time.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
Cologne made me think of voice coaches, of maitre d’s, of old men and their unwanted embraces.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Bass embraced the $2.6-billion plan for upgrading the Los Angeles Convention Center, saying it would create much-needed jobs and breathe new life into downtown’s economy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Zaidi, who dresses in dark blue suits and has a bushy black mustache and cropped beard, was quickly embraced by Washington.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Others have embraced it: Hailey Bieber wore the label with pride when she sported a white crop top emblazoned with “nepo baby” in 2023.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
The frontier labs have embraced working together to set standards.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
She embraced me for a few priceless seconds, pressed the bread into my hand, and pushed me out the door.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
Footage shared by Netanyahu's office showed the premier meeting passengers after their arrival in Tel Aviv and embracing a man in a bloodied shirt.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
Then we have others that are worried their job is going to be replaced with AI, and then we have the ones that are really on board, embracing that change.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
There is Glover, embracing a feminine aesthetic while cooking over open flames.
From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026
But the visit showed a surprising alignment of visions between the U.S. and Chinese presidents, embracing fierce competition that avoids miscalculation and conflict.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
They all come to me, hugging me and embracing me.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
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.
