emboss
1 of 2verb (1)
em·boss im-ˈbäs 
-ˈbȯs
embossed; embossing; embosses
transitive verb
1
: to raise the surface of into bosses
especially : to ornament with raised work
2
: to raise in relief from a surface
3
: adorn, embellish
embossable
im-ˈbä-sə-bəl
adjective -ˈbȯ-
embosser
im-ˈbä-sər
noun -ˈbȯ-
embossment
im-ˈbä-smənt
noun -ˈbȯ-
emboss
2 of 2verb (2)
embossed; embossing; embosses
transitive verb
archaic
: to drive (a hunted animal) to bay or to exhaustion
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- adorn
- array
- beautify
- bedeck
- bedizen
- blazon
- caparison
- deck
- decorate
- do
- do up
- doll up
- drape
- dress
- embellish
- emblaze
- enrich
- fancify
- fancy up
- festoon
- garnish
- glitz (up)
- grace
- gussy up
- ornament
- pretty (up)
- trim
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English embosen, from Middle French embocer, from en- + boce boss
Verb (2)
Middle English embosen to become exhausted from being hunted, ultimately from Anglo-French bois woods
First Known Use
Verb (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
emboss
verb
em·boss im-ˈbäs
-ˈbȯs
embossed; embossing
: to decorate with a raised pattern or design
embosses
verb
as in decorates
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming the simple country church has an aura of serene spirituality that is often missing in more embossed houses of worship Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- decorates
- adorns
- drapes
- embellishes
- trims
- ornaments
- enriches
- beautifies
- dresses
- graces
- paints
- festoons
- decks
- garnishes
- bedecks
- arrays
- caparisons
- embroiders
- does
- blazons
- bedizens
- emblazes
- glitzes (up)
- fancifies
- traps
- dolls up
- ribbons
- gussies up
- brightens
- filigrees
- does up
- pretties (up)
- freshens
- appliqués
- fancies up
- accessorizes
- gilds
- chases
- garlands
- flounces
- gems
- frills
- jewels
- diamonds
- smartens
- fillets
- laces
- bosses
- figures
- swags
- feathers
- hangs
- furbelows
- wreathes
- dresses up
- pearls
- braids
- fringes
- tricks (out)
- redoes
- redecorates
- impearls
- spruces (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disfigures
- defaces
- scars
- streamlines
- simplifies
- reveals
- displays
- strips
- mars
- denudes
- spoils
- exposes
- dismantles
- bares
- blemishes
- divests
- uncovers
- uglifies