adjective

incarnate

ihn-KAH-nayt

adjective

Given a bodily, often human, form; embodied in flesh.

"In the story, the villain is evil incarnate."

"Christians speak of Christ as God incarnate."

verb

To give a bodily or concrete form to an idea, quality, or spirit.

"The novel incarnates the anxieties of an entire generation."

How to Use Incarnate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGiven a physical or bodily form — often used for "the living embodiment of" something.

Common pairings

evil incarnate the devil incarnate incarnate as a human

incarnated past tense, incarnates singular

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In the story, the villain is evil _____.

From Ecclesiastical Latin incarnatus, "made flesh," from in- + caro/carn- ("flesh") — the same root as "carnal" and "carnivore."

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