# embody

/ɪmˈbɑdi/ (US) · /ɛmbˈɒdi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/embody
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She seems to embody the spirit of kindness in everything she does.
- The new museum building aims to embody the city's history while looking toward a modern future.
- 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.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.