ENGLISH
REFERENCE

embody

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ɪmˈbɑdi// UK //ɛmbˈɒdi// em·body

v. to be a perfect example of an idea or a quality. When you embody something, people can see that idea clearly in your actions or appearance.

v. to represent or express an abstract quality, idea, or feeling in a tangible or visible form. Often used to describe how a person or object serves as the quintessential example of a concept.


SIMPLE

She seems to embody the spirit of kindness in everything she does.

CONTEXTUAL

The new museum building aims to embody the city's history while looking toward a modern future.

COMPLEX

The protagonist is designed to embody the existential anxieties of the post-war era, serving as a vessel for the author's critiques of modern industrial society.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin em- + body.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically an abstract noun like 'spirit', 'ideal', or 'essence'. 'essence'.

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