embase

/ɪmˈbeɪs/

//ɪmˈbeɪs// verb

"embase" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“embase” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To lower physically.

Corpus desk

Index EN-embase · embase · English

embase · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
  • LEN-LONG 6 letters
  • VOW-3 3 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-THIN "E" thin
  • PHOTO-UNK Peer pending

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Key facts for embase
PropertyValue
Headwordembase
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɪmˈbeɪs/
Letters6
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Long-tail rank of “embase” in English

embasesits beyond the 100,000 most-frequent English words, in the long tail of technical, archaic, or otherwise rare vocabulary where spelling doubt tends to strike hardest.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

embase is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as averb, transcribed /ɪmˈbeɪs/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.

Our edit-distance generator produced no likely misspellings for embase, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From em- + base. Compare Old French embaissier. The correct English form is embase, spelled E-M-B-A-S-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To lower physically.
  2. 2
    To bring down or lower in position, status, etc.; to degrade, humiliate.
  3. 3
    To lower the value of (a coin, commodity etc.); to debase (a coin) with alloy.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how embase appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. [God had] Embast the valleys, and embost the hills.
  2. And either vowd with all their power and witt To let not others honour be defaste Of friend or foe, who ever it embaste […]

Etymology

From em- + base. Compare Old French embaissier.

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "embase"?
"embase" is spelled E-M-B-A-S-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ɪmˈbeɪs/.
What does "embase" mean?
As a verb, "embase" means: To lower physically.
How do you pronounce "embase"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "embase" is /ɪmˈbeɪs/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "embase"?
From em- + base. Compare Old French embaissier. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list