to etch

Examples

• All

• found an old diary that contained symbols etched into the pages.

  Fading of the Cries (2009)

• But long before that, it was the Romans who etched it on their sundials.

  The Adam Project (2022)

• These tools are accurate enough to etch words into a human hair.

• And we'll just start to just gently etch in our screen here.

• So now at this stage, I'm going to etch the inside of each nail.

• We bring the etching platform over here and I etch in the matrix number by hand, which is very small and very difficult.

• It looks like it's etched into the wood.

  The Ring (2002)

• I used some diluted nitric acid to etch a sword blade.

  Adam Savage’s Tested

• Two other students remove a cloth, unveiling a memorial sculpture, etched with the names of the departed.

  Fiction book (2000)

• The front door was flanked by beveled glass panels etched in geometric designs.

  Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

C

to carve

vsto etch

272 2.1

Cut shapes and patterns into wood, stone and other hard materials

is focused on cutting surface designs rather than shaping three dimensional forms

S

to scratch

vsto etch

161 1.1

To cut or mark a surface by scraping it with something sharp

is a deliberate method for making detailed designs rather than rough surface marks

E

to engrave

vsto etch

47 5.2

To cut words and pictures into a hard surface like metal or wood

is often done using acid or sharp tools rather than mainly for printmaking

S

to scrape

vsto etch

37 3.2

To make a design or letters by scratching a surface with something sharp

is the controlled cutting of a design not rough scratching or rubbing

I

to inscribe

vsto etch

31 5.3

Put words on something like a book or monument so they last

is focused on cutting patterns into surfaces rather than only marking words

C

to chase

vsto etch

• Specialized

17 9.1

To cut a narrow groove into a wall or other surface

is the general action of making a design not always for embedding

S

to scribe

vsto etch

3 7.4

To mark a surface with a sharp point or write something carefully by hand

is about cutting or carving designs into a surface rather than simple marking

G

to grave

vsto etch

• Archaic

1 7.7

To cut letters or a design into a hard surface

is used more for making incisions in hard materials

E

to etch a design

vsto etch

6.5

To cut a pattern into glass, metal, or wood

is the general verb form used without naming the pattern directly

P

to photoetch

vsto etch

• Specialized

9.5

To cut fine lines or patterns into metal using light and chemicals

is the broader action not limited to photographic chemical techniques

Phrasal Verbs

E

to etch a design

6.5

To cut a pattern into glass, metal, or wood

How Deep

to carve

272 2.1

to engrave

47 5.2

to etch

18 5.5

to score

20 7.0

Surface Forms

Etymology