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

Here, in effect, stood American corporations incarnate: massive, spectacular, inventive, prosperous, self-confident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

The former cop and Secret Service agent spent nearly a decade losing three congressional races in two different states before settling into a groove as steroids incarnate with a microphone.

From Slate • Mar. 1, 2025

Rep. Matt Gaetz said, “Mr. Weiss was here incarnate, but not particularly in spirit.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 7, 2023

Afterwards Kolisi, the Springboks' skipper and spirit incarnate, spoke about distinctive mood music that accompanies his team's matches.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2023

It looked like speed incarnate, its every line carved by the wind.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly