What does embrace mean?
To embrace is, at its simplest, to hold someone close in one's arms — a gesture of affection, greeting, comfort, or farewell. Over centuries, however, the word has expanded far beyond the physical: today it equally describes the wholehearted acceptance of an idea, opportunity, change, or way of life. A person might embrace new technology, embrace diversity, or embrace their responsibilities, meaning they welcome these things openly rather than resisting them. A third, less common sense uses embrace to mean 'to encompass' — as when a landscape embraces rolling hills and rivers. The word carries consistently warm, positive connotations, suggesting openness rather than mere tolerance. Derived from Latin through Old French, its core root refers to the arms themselves, which explains why even its figurative senses retain a physical, bodily quality. Whether describing a reunion hug or a company adopting new policies, embrace conveys genuine willingness and warmth.
verbTo hold someone closely in one's arms as a sign of affection; more broadly, to accept or adopt something willingly and enthusiastically.
- To hold someone closely in one's arms, typically as an expression of affection or greeting.
- To accept, adopt, or support an idea, change, belief, or practice willingly and with enthusiasm.
- To include, encompass, or contain a wide range of things.
"She embraced her old friend warmly at the airport."
"The two leaders embraced briefly before beginning their talks."
"The company was slow to embrace remote working, but eventually made it central to its culture."
Standard plural form, used when referring to multiple hugs or instances of embracing.
"Their embraces at every family gathering grew longer over the years."
Every time you say 'embrace,' you're literally telling someone to put your arm around them — the word's Latin root 'bracchium' just means 'arm.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of embrace
Embrace comes from the Old French verb embracier, formed from the prefix em- ('in') plus bracier ('to encircle with the arms'), which derives from the Latin bracchium meaning 'arm.' It entered English in the 14th century. Cognates sharing this Latin arm-root include bracelet and bracket.
Related word forms
How embrace is actually used
Embrace works both literally (a physical hug) and figuratively (welcoming an idea). In formal writing it often appears in the figurative sense of accepting change, technology, or principles. It carries a warm, positive connotation in most contexts.
Easily confused with embrace
Embroidery is the decorative stitching of fabric, whereas embrace means to hug or to accept willingly — they share a distant root but entirely different meanings.
Brace means to steady or prepare for impact (or a supportive device), while embrace adds the sense of holding closely or welcoming fully.