Meaning & use
embodiment
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Meanings
nouncountable
Someone or something that is a perfect, clear example of a quality or idea.
Grammar: Usually followed by of: she is the embodiment of patience. It takes an or the.
Patterns
- the embodiment of something
The old nurse was the embodiment of kindness.
To fans, the goalkeeper is the embodiment of courage.
The glass tower is an embodiment of the city's ambition.
noununcountableformal
The process of giving a clear, visible form to an idea, feeling or plan.
Grammar: Describes the act of making something concrete: the embodiment of the plan in a model.
Patterns
- the embodiment of something in something
The embodiment of her vision in steel and glass took three years.
The constitution is the embodiment of the nation's principles.
His embodiment of the character in the play impressed critics.
Word forms
| plural | embodiments |
|---|
Common combinations
- the very embodiment of
- He was the very embodiment of good manners.
- living embodiment
- The coach was the living embodiment of the team's spirit.
- physical embodiment
- The statue is the physical embodiment of freedom.
- perfect embodiment
- She seemed the perfect embodiment of elegance.
- embodiment of hope
- The newborn was the embodiment of hope for the family.
Synonyms and how they differ
- personification
- Personification is a close match, but it stresses a person who stands for a quality, often with literary flavor.
- epitome
- Epitome means the best possible example of a type, whereas embodiment stresses giving physical shape to an idea.
- incarnation
- Incarnation has a religious or dramatic tone, suggesting a spirit taking human form.
- manifestation
- Manifestation means a visible sign that something exists, and need not be a perfect example.
Word family
- embody verb
- to be a clear example of, or give form to something
- embodied adjective
- having a physical form
- disembodied adjective
- separated from a body
- body noun
- the physical form of a person or thing
Commonly confused: embodiment or embellishment?
embodiment vs embellishment
Embellishment means decoration or an exaggerated detail, not a clear example of a quality.
Practice
Many in the village saw their teacher as the ___ of generosity, always giving time and money.
Choose one answer.
Embodiment of means a clear example of a quality. Embargo, emphasis and embroidery are real words but do not fit this sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “embodiment”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.