etch

1 of 2

verb

ˈech 

etched; etching; etches

transitive verb

1

a

: to produce (something, such as a pattern or design) on a hard material by eating into the material's surface (as by acid or laser beam)

b

: to subject to such etching

2

: to delineate or impress clearly

scenes etched in our minds

pain was etched on his features

intransitive verb

: to practice etching

etcher noun

etch

2 of 2

noun

1

: the action or effect of etching a surface

2

: a chemical agent used in etching

Synonyms

Verb

• engrave
• grave
• incise
• inscribe
• insculp [archaic]

Examples of etch in a Sentence

Verb

etched an identification number on the back of the television

glass that has been etched with an identification number

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That idea of good karma is deeply etched into Earley’s soul. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024

One appearance at the event is etched into my brain: WNBA star Angel Reese arriving in a Diotima dress designed by Rachel Scott. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Oct. 2024

Noun

Nanoimprint lithography stamps the chip’s design directly onto a silicon wafer, while EUV instead uses light to etch circuit patterns. —Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 29 Jan. 2024

In recent years there has also been a spike nationwide in catalytic converter thefts, prompting police in Takoma Park, Md., to team up with a local mechanic to etch tag numbers on catalytic converters to deter thieves seeking the part for its precious metals. —Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch etsen, from German ätzen to etch, corrode, from Old High German azzen to feed; akin to Old High German ezzan to eat — more at eat

First Known Use

Verb

1634, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

etch

verb

ˈech

1

a

: to produce (as a pattern or design) on a hard material by lines eaten into the material's surface (as by acid or laser beam)

b

: to produce a pattern or design on by such etching

etched glass

an etched silicon chip

2

: to outline or impress clearly

migrating ducks etched against the sky

etcher noun