What does embracement mean?
Embracement is a noun denoting the act of embracing — either literally, as when one person holds another in their arms, or figuratively, as in the wholehearted acceptance of an idea, change, or opportunity. Derived from the verb 'embrace', which entered Middle English via Old French 'embracier' and ultimately traces back to Latin roots connected to the arm ('bracchium'), the word has existed in English since roughly the seventeenth century. Despite its respectable age, it has never become common; most writers choose 'hug' or 'embrace' for the physical gesture and 'acceptance' or 'adoption' for the abstract sense. When it does appear, often in literary or formal prose, it lends a slightly elevated, deliberate tone to the sentence. Its visual similarity to 'embarrassment' makes careful spelling essential, though the two words have entirely unrelated meanings. Embracement is best understood as a legitimate but uncommon alternative that adds variety to expression about affection or openness.
nounThe act of embracing someone or something; a hug or the holding of a person in one's arms. By extension, it can denote the willing acceptance or adoption of an idea, change, or new situation.
- The physical act of holding someone in one's arms; an embrace or hug.
- The willing acceptance or adoption of an idea, practice, or new circumstance.
"She greeted her long-lost cousin with a warm embracement at the airport."
"The two old friends exchanged a heartfelt embracement on the station platform."
"The company's full embracement of remote work transformed its culture overnight."
The plural is grammatically standard but very rare, typically appearing only when counting multiple distinct acts of embracing or instances of acceptance.
"The farewell scene was marked by many tearful embracements among the departing travelers."
Despite sounding like a modern coinage, embracement has been part of English since at least the 1600s — yet it remains so rare that most spellcheckers flag it in favor of its near-twin 'embarrassment'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of embracement
Embracement was formed in English by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ment' to the verb 'embrace', which itself came into Middle English from Old French 'embracier' meaning 'to clasp in the arms'. The French verb combines the prefix 'em-' (from Latin 'in-') with 'bras' (arm), ultimately derived from Latin 'bracchium'. The same Latin root gives English related words such as 'bracelet' and 'brachial', all sharing the ancient connection between arms and holding fast.
Related word forms
How embracement is actually used
Embracement is considerably rarer than the verb 'embrace' or the simple noun 'embrace', and it carries a slightly formal or literary flavor. In everyday English, speakers almost always prefer 'hug' for the physical act and 'acceptance' or 'adoption' for the figurative sense.
Easily confused with embracement
Embarrassment is a feeling of self-consciousness or shame, while embracement refers to the physical act of embracing or the acceptance of an idea — they differ by just a few letters but share nothing in meaning.