First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1embrace
verb em·brace \im-ˈbrās\
: to hold someone in your arms as a way of expressing love or friendship
: to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly
: to use (an opportunity) eagerly
em·bracedem·brac·ing
Full Definition of EMBRACE
transitive verb
3
a : to take up especially readily or gladly <embrace a cause> b : to avail oneself of : welcome <embraced the opportunity to study further>
4
a : to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more inclusive whole <charity embraces all acts that contribute to human welfare> b : to be equal or equivalent to <his assets embraced $10>
intransitive verb
: to participate in an embrace
— embrace·able \-ˈbrā-sə-bəl\ adjective
— em·brace·ment \-ˈbrās-mənt\ noun
— em·brac·er noun
— em·brac·ing·ly \-ˈbrā-siŋ-lē\ adverb
See embrace defined for English-language learners
See embrace defined for kids
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Origin of EMBRACE
Middle English, from Anglo-French embracer, from en- + brace pair of arms — more at brace
Related to EMBRACE
Synonym Discussion of EMBRACE
adopt, embrace, espouse mean to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own. adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature <forced to adopt new policies>. embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance <embraced the customs of their new homeland>. espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes <espoused the cause of women's rights>.
include, comprehend, embrace, involve mean to contain within as part of the whole. include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole <the price of dinner includes dessert>. comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition <his system comprehends all history>. embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole <her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs>. involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence <the new job involves a lot of detail>.
include, comprehend, embrace, involve mean to contain within as part of the whole. include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole <the price of dinner includes dessert>. comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition <his system comprehends all history>. embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole <her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs>. involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence <the new job involves a lot of detail>.
Rhymes with EMBRACE
abase, airspace, Alsace, ambsace, apace, backspace, best-case, biface, birthplace, blackface, boldface, bookcase, bootlace, braincase, briefcase, clubface, crankcase, cyclase, debase, deface, disgrace, displace, dogface, doughface, efface, emplace, encase, enchase, enlace, erase, euclase, firebase, fireplace, footpace, footrace, foreface, freebase, gyrase, half-space, hard case, headspace, hydrase, Jerez, kinase, lactase, lightface, lipase, lyase, maltase, manes, millrace, milreis, misplace, mutase, notecase, null-space, nutcase, outface, outpace, outrace, paleface, postface, Quilmes, replace, scapegrace, shoelace, showcase, showplace, slipcase, smearcase, someplace, staircase, subbase, subspace, suitcase, tailrace, tenace, typeface, ukase, unbrace, unlace, watchcase, wheelbase, whey-face, whiteface, workplace, worst-case
2embrace
noun
: the act of holding someone in your arms : the act of embracing someone
Full Definition of EMBRACE
1
: a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the chest especially as a sign of affection : hug
2
: grip, encirclement <in the embrace of terror>
3
: acceptance <her embrace of new ideas>
See embrace defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EMBRACE
1592
EMBRACE Defined for Kids
1embrace
verb em·brace \im-ˈbrās\
em·bracedem·brac·ing
Definition of EMBRACE for Kids
1
: to hold in the arms : hug <The old friends embraced each other.>
2
: to surround on all sides <Low hills embraced the valley.>
3
: to accept readily or gladly <She is always ready to embrace an opportunity.>
4
: include <Mathematics embraces arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.>
2embrace
noun
Definition of EMBRACE for Kids
: an act of holding in the arms : hug
Learn More About EMBRACE
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