engrave
verb
en·grave in-ˈgrāv 
en-
engraved; engraving
transitive verb
1
a
: to impress deeply as if with a graver
the incident was engraved in his memory
b
: to form by incision (as on wood or metal)
2
a
: to cut figures, letters, or designs on for printing
also : to print from an engraved plate
an engraved invitation
b
: photoengrave
engraver noun
Synonyms
- etch
- grave
- incise
- inscribe
- insculp [archaic]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They will engrave your initials on the ring for free. She had the ring engraved with her initials. The image was engraved on the plaque.
Recent Examples on the Web Recyclers must also engrave or permanently mark either the VIN or their license and stock number. 
From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 The rules require car dealers to engrave the auto’s vehicle identification number onto the catalytic converter. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 Up now just outside of Detroit, the show features stations at which artisans, many of them flown in from Paris, stitch, paint and engrave. New York Times, 14 June 2022 Community members will also play a part in the installation—Newark residents can engrave a tile that will become part of a mosaic wall. Carly Olson, ELLE Decor, 13 June 2022 Pick a quote to engrave, plus the deceased person's name and years of life. Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 24 May 2022 Have the kids write a handwritten note (or draw a picture!) and send a photo to this Etsy seller—they'll engrave it on this leather wallet for a gift that's useful and sentimental. Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 18 May 2022 Some police agencies have hosted special events to help car owners engrave their vehicle’s identification number onto their converters. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2022 Send a photo of one of her most beloved handwritten recipes and this Etsy maker will engrave it onto a light or dark wood cutting board. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 16 Apr. 2022 See More
From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 The rules require car dealers to engrave the auto’s vehicle identification number onto the catalytic converter. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 Up now just outside of Detroit, the show features stations at which artisans, many of them flown in from Paris, stitch, paint and engrave. New York Times, 14 June 2022 Community members will also play a part in the installation—Newark residents can engrave a tile that will become part of a mosaic wall. Carly Olson, ELLE Decor, 13 June 2022 Pick a quote to engrave, plus the deceased person's name and years of life. Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 24 May 2022 Have the kids write a handwritten note (or draw a picture!) and send a photo to this Etsy seller—they'll engrave it on this leather wallet for a gift that's useful and sentimental. Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 18 May 2022 Some police agencies have hosted special events to help car owners engrave their vehicle’s identification number onto their converters. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2022 Send a photo of one of her most beloved handwritten recipes and this Etsy maker will engrave it onto a light or dark wood cutting board. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 16 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French engraver, from en- + graver to grave, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grafan to grave
First Known Use
1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing engrave
Kids Definition
engrave
verb
en·grave in-ˈgrāv
engraved; engraving
1
: to cut or carve (as letters or designs) on a hard surface
an engraved pattern
2
: to cut (as letters or designs) on or into
The jeweler engraved the ring with her initials.
3
: to print from a cut surface
an engraved invitation
engraved
verb
1
as in etched
to cut (as letters or designs) on a hard surface engraved the birth and death dates on the tombstone Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- etched
- inscribed
- carved
- graved
- sculpted
- incised
- traced
- sculptured
- insculped
- chiseled
- affixed
- indented
- chiselled
- grooved
- notched
- chased
- impressed
- scored
2
as in imprinted
to produce a vivid impression of a scar that forever engraved the killer's face in the witness's mind Synonyms & Similar Words
- etched
- imprinted
- branded
- infixed
- impressed
- engrained
- ingrained
- stamped
- imbued
- infused
- implanted
- inculcated
- instilled
- enrooted
- set
- fixed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- erased
- obliterated
- expunged
- blotted out