etch

American  

[ech] / ɛtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to cut, bite, or corrode with an acid or the like; engrave with an acid or the like, as to form a design in furrows that when charged with ink will give an impression on paper.

2. to produce (a design, image, etc.) by this method, as on copper or glass.

3. to outline clearly or sharply; delineate, as a person's features or character.

4. to fix permanently in or implant firmly on the mind; root in the memory.

   Our last conversation is etched in my memory.

5. Geology. to cut (a feature) into the surface of the earth by means of erosion.

   A deep canyon was etched into the land by the river's rushing waters.

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verb (used without object)

1. to practice the art of etching.

noun

1. Printing. an acid used for etching.

etch British  

/ ɛtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to wear away the surface of (a metal, glass, etc) by chemical action, esp the action of an acid

2. to cut or corrode (a design, decoration, etc) on (a metal or other plate to be used for printing) by using the action of acid on parts not covered by wax or other acid-resistant coating

3. (tr) to cut with or as if with a sharp implement

   he etched his name on the table

4. (tr; usually passive) to imprint vividly

   the event was etched on her memory

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Other Word Forms

• etcher noun
• unetched adjective

Etymology

Origin of etch

1625–35; < Dutch etsen < German ätzen to etch, originally cause to eat; cognate with Old English ettan to graze; akin to eat

Explanation

If you etch something you are cutting into it. You can etch "I ♥ U" into a tree trunk with a pocket knife or etch your initials in your desk with a key (if the teacher's not looking). However and whatever you etch, it is generally considered a deep and lasting mark. The figurative use of etch is just as common as its literal sense. A particularly powerful memory, image or emotion is said to "etch itself" into your mind, meaning, like that piece of graffiti you etched into the tree trunk, it won't be likely to be erased anytime soon. Incise and carve are often interchangeable with etch.

Example Sentences

Still other presidents seem to treat foreign policy as a legacy play, a chance to etch their names for the ages to a degree that domestic politics just can’t match.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

It means if any of the three clubs were to climb out of the relegation zone and preserve their top-flight status, they would etch their names into the record books.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

XLight is seeking to improve on just one component of the EUV process: the crucially important lasers that etch complex microscopic patterns onto chemical-treated silicon wafers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

Shafali Verma was initially dropped from India's Women's World Cup squad but the opener returned as an injury replacement to star in the title win and etch her name in history.

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

Even used a wood burner to etch those words: Byrd's Potting Shed.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

Related Words

• depict
• engrave
• imprint
• incise
• ingrain
• inscribe
• portray
• stamp