# embrace

/ɛmˈbɹeɪs/ (US) · /ɛmbɹˈeɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/embrace
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to hug

verb · CEFR B1

to hold someone close in your arms to show love or friendship.

For teachers: to clasp another person in the arms as a gesture of affection or greeting. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The two friends embraced warmly when they met at the airport.
- Upon his return from the long voyage, he embraced his daughter with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

### 2. to accept an idea

verb · CEFR B2

to eagerly accept a new idea, opinion, or way of life.

For teachers: to adopt or support a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.

- Many companies are starting to embrace remote work for their employees.
- The local community has slowly begun to embrace sustainable energy solutions as the benefits to the environment become more apparent.

### 3. to include

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to include or contain a number of different things.

For teachers: to include or contain as a constituent part; to encompass a variety of elements.

- The new law embraces several different areas of medical research.
- The report embraces a wide range of opinions from both the public and private sectors regarding urban development.

### 4. a hug

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the act of holding someone closely in your arms.

For teachers: the act of enfolding someone in the arms; a physical hug.

- They held each other in a long embrace before saying goodbye.
- The mother held the child in a protective embrace as the thunder crashed outside the window.

### 5. full acceptance

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of accepting or supporting something completely.

For teachers: the complete acceptance or enthusiastic adoption of a concept, movement, or technology.

- The public's embrace of the new technology was faster than expected.
- The sudden embrace of radical economic reforms led to significant social upheaval within the decade.

## Examples

- She decided to embrace the new opportunity at work.
- The local community began to embrace sustainable energy practices after seeing the long-term cost savings.
- While many traditionalists resisted the shift toward digital platforms, the younger generation was quick to embrace the efficiency and connectivity offered by the new technology.

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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.