A1 noun Neutral

engraving

/ɪnˈɡreɪ.vɪŋ/

An engraving is a picture or design made by cutting lines into a hard surface like metal, wood, or glass. It is often used to decorate jewelry or to create printed art on paper.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The jewelry box has a beautiful engraving of a flower on the lid.

The jewelry box has a beautiful cut design of a flower on the top.

2

The museum curator presented a rare 18th-century engraving to the board.

The museum leader showed a special old printed picture to the group.

3

I got an engraving on my watch that says 'Love you'.

I had words cut into my watch that say 'Love you'.

Word Family

Noun
engraving
Verb
engrave
Adjective
engraved
Related
engraver
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'grave'. Just as a grave is a hole dug in the earth, an engraving is a line 'dug' into a hard material.

Quick Quiz

The winner's name was added to the trophy with a beautiful _____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: engraving

Examples

1

The jewelry box has a beautiful engraving of a flower on the lid.

everyday

The jewelry box has a beautiful cut design of a flower on the top.

2

The museum curator presented a rare 18th-century engraving to the board.

formal

The museum leader showed a special old printed picture to the group.

3

I got an engraving on my watch that says 'Love you'.

informal

I had words cut into my watch that say 'Love you'.

4

The study focuses on the intricate engraving techniques used in historical books.

academic

The research looks at the detailed cutting methods used in old books.

5

Our company offers high-quality custom engraving for all corporate awards.

business

Our business provides special name-cutting services for office prizes.

Word Family

Noun
engraving
Verb
engrave
Adjective
engraved
Related
engraver

Common Collocations

laser engraving cutting a design with a laser beam
hand engraving cutting a design by hand using tools
wood engraving a design cut into a block of wood
intricate engraving a very detailed and complicated cut design
custom engraving a design made specially for one person

Common Phrases

steel engraving

a print made from a steel plate

engraved in memory

something that is impossible to forget

copperplate engraving

a design cut into a copper sheet

Often Confused With

engraving vs etching

Engraving uses tools to cut directly into the surface, while etching uses acid to bite into the surface.

engraving vs carving

Carving usually refers to making 3D shapes (like statues), while engraving is for surface lines and patterns.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word when talking about fine lines cut into hard objects like trophies, rings, or metal plates used for printing.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'writing' instead of 'engraving' when talking about names cut into a trophy.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'grave'. Just as a grave is a hole dug in the earth, an engraving is a line 'dug' into a hard material.

📖

Word Origin

From the Middle French word 'engraver', which means to cut or carve into a surface.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one engraving, two engravings Often used with the preposition 'on': an engraving on the ring
🌍

Cultural Context

Before cameras were invented, engravings were the most common way to put pictures in newspapers and books.

Quick Quiz

The winner's name was added to the trophy with a beautiful _____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: engraving

More art words

stage

A1

A raised area or platform in a theater where actors, singers, or dancers perform for an audience. It can also refer to a specific point or period in a process or development.

flexibility

A1

Flexibility is the ability to bend easily without breaking. In art and life, it also means being able to change plans or ideas easily when needed.

photography

A1

Photography is the activity or job of taking pictures with a camera. It is a form of art that uses light to create images of people, nature, or objects.

resolution

A1

Resolution describes how clear and detailed an image or a screen looks. In art and photography, high resolution means the picture is very sharp, while low resolution means it looks blurry or pixelated.

exposure

A1

Exposure is when something is shown to the public or allowed to be seen. In art and photography, it also refers to the amount of light that reaches a camera sensor or film.

pixel

A1

A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image or graphic that can be displayed on a screen. Many pixels combined together create the full pictures you see on computers, phones, and televisions.

landscape

A1

A landscape is a painting, photograph, or view of a wide area of land. In art, it usually shows natural scenes like mountains, trees, and rivers instead of people.

painting

A1

A painting is a picture that someone makes using paint. It is usually created on a surface like paper or canvas and is considered a piece of art.

sculpture

A1

A sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or carving materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. Unlike a painting, you can walk around a sculpture and see it from many different angles.

sketch

A1

A simple drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It is often used as a rough draft or a plan for a more finished piece of art.

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