embrace

/ɪmˈbreɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbreɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbrās/ (ame, mw)

embrace — verb

  • embracepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • embraces3rd person singular
  • embracing-ing form
  • embracedpast simple

1. To put your arms around someone and hold them close to your body, as a way of sh

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

To put your arms around someone and hold them close to your body, as a way of showing affection, comfort, or sympathy.

例句

Lotte ran to greet her mother and embraced her warmly at the terminal.

transitive: embrace + person + adverb

The couple embraced silently on the dance floor as the music played.

intransitive: embrace (no object)

同義詞
  • hug

    more common in everyday conversation; less formal

  • clasp

    suggests a firmer, more urgent hold

  • cuddle

    implies a longer, more affectionate and gentle hold

反義詞
  • push away

    physically rejecting someone's approach

  • shove

    forcefully pushing someone away

文法句型

embrace + object (person)

embrace (no object)

用法筆記

Unlike the more casual word 'hug', 'embrace' often suggests a slightly more formal or emotionally weighty gesture. It works both transitively ('She embraced him') and intransitively ('They embraced').

常見錯誤

❌She embraced him hardly.
✅She embraced him tightly.
💡'Hardly' means 'almost not', not 'with force'; use 'tightly' instead.

2. To willingly accept and support a new idea, change, technology, or way of doing

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

To willingly accept and support a new idea, change, technology, or way of doing things with energy and eagerness.

例句

The company embraced the new software and trained every employee to use it.

embrace + new technology or system

Sirin embraced the chance to study in Japan without any hesitation.

同義詞
  • welcome

    warmer and more informal; 'welcome a change' is less intense than 'embrace a change'

  • adopt

    suggests making something your own through deliberate choice

  • endorse

    implies public support or approval, often from a position of authority

反義詞
  • reject

    refusing to accept or consider something

  • resist

    actively trying not to accept or go along with something

文法句型

embrace + object (idea/change/opportunity)

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person, group, or organization. The object is an abstract thing that is new or different — ideas, policies, technologies, lifestyles, or cultural practices. It carries a strongly positive connotation of eagerness.

常見錯誤

❌I embraced the heavy box.
✅I embraced my friend at the door.' / ✅ 'I embraced the new challenge at work.
💡Use the physical 'hug' sense for physical objects; use this sense only for accepting abstract things like ideas or changes.

3. To include something as part of a wider category, collection, or range of things

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

To include something as part of a wider category, collection, or range of things, often as one item among several.

例句

The course embraces topics from ancient history to modern politics and economics.

embrace a wide range of topics

Aylin's role as director embraces everything from hiring staff to managing the budget.

同義詞
  • include

    more neutral and common; less formal than 'embrace'

  • encompass

    suggests a very broad or complete coverage

  • cover

    neutral and widely used in discussions of topics

反義詞
  • exclude

    to leave something out deliberately

  • omit

    to not include something

文法句型

embrace + range/scope of items

用法筆記

Subject is usually a broad category, collection, field, or role. The object is something that falls within the subject's scope. This sense is more formal than 'include' and often suggests that the list or range is wide or surprising.

常見錯誤

❌The box embraces three apples.
✅The term embraces several related concepts.
💡This sense is used for abstract categories and scopes, not for physical containers.

embrace — noun