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adjective

incarnate

ihn-KAH-nayt

Incarnate (adjective) means Given a bodily, often human, form; embodied in flesh. Example: “In the story, the villain is evil incarnate.”

adjective
1
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
1
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

Word forms

incarnated past tense, incarnates singular

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In the story, the villain is evil _____.

Etymology

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

Origin: Latin

embody substantiate body forth

Related words

Rhymes for incarnate

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Frequently asked questions

What does “incarnate” mean?

The word “incarnate” means given a bodily, often human, form; embodied in flesh. In plain terms, given a physical or bodily form — often used for "the living embodiment of" something.

How do you pronounce “incarnate”?

“Incarnate” is pronounced ihn-KAH-nayt (/ɪnˈkɑːɹ.nɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “incarnate” in a sentence?

Here is “incarnate” used in a sentence: “In the story, the villain is evil incarnate.”

What part of speech is “incarnate”?

Depending on how it is used, “incarnate” can be an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “incarnate” come from?

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

How many meanings does “incarnate” have?

“Incarnate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: given a bodily, often human, form; embodied in flesh.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial