WordGarden.ioincarnate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnkˈɑːneɪt/
US
- /ˌɪnˈkɑrˌneɪt/
Meanings
Adjective
in bodily or human form, especially as a deity or spirit
serving as a living or concrete example of a quality
Verb
to embody, personify, or give concrete form to something
Beyond the definition
When an idea or quality becomes incarnate, it seems to take on flesh and appear in a real, visible form. Evil may seem incarnate in a villain, and kindness may seem incarnate in a gentle, generous person. The word first had a religious meaning, referring to a deity taking human form. In everyday English, it usually describes something abstract becoming real through a person or thing.
You might say that a cruel ruler incarnates tyranny, or that a great leader incarnates hope for a nation. The idea is not just that something exists, but that it is shown clearly and strongly in a living form. The word often suggests a powerful, striking example of some quality made real.
The word "incarnate" originally held deep religious meaning, stemming from the belief of a divine being taking on human form—literally meaning "in flesh." While still carrying this spiritual weight, today "incarnate" describes anything abstract becoming real and visible through a person, thing, or event.
Think of it like this: fear is an abstract emotion, but when a terrifying monster on a movie screen seems to incarnate that fear, it becomes something you can see and react to. Or consider justice: it remains an ideal until a brave person seems to incarnate it by fighting for what is right in a difficult situation.
To be "incarnate" isn't just about existing; it's about full, powerful manifestation. You wouldn't typically say "a feeling of sadness is incarnate," but you might say "she is the very incarnation of grace," meaning she perfectly embodies that quality. It suggests a complete and compelling representation.
The word often implies something exceptional or striking—a perfect example of an idea made real. It can also be used as an adjective following a noun to emphasize the intensity of a characteristic: "He was anger incarnate" paints a picture of someone who is the absolute living definition of rage. Whether you're describing a quality perfectly embodied in a person or an abstract concept brought vividly to life, to be incarnate is to become real, visible, and powerfully present.
Examples
- 1
Perfect example
To everyone in the office, Marta was patience incarnate.
- Patternnoun + incarnate
the perfect example of that quality
- 2
Evil figure
In the film, the king's adviser is evil incarnate.
- 3
Christian theology
Christians believe that God became incarnate in Jesus.
- Patternbecome incarnate in + person
take human form in that person
See also
Similar
- embodied
- personified
- made flesh
Shades of meaning
- manifest
- flesh-and-blood
- living embodiment
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- evil incarnate
- the devil incarnate
- god incarnate
- incarnate in
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- incarnateverbadjective
Forms
- incarnatedpast tenseverbadjective
- incarnatesverbadjective
- incarnating-ing formverbadjective