embrace
/ɛmˈbɹes/
"embrace" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“embrace” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #5,494 in English word frequency and used as a verb.
- #5,494
- frequency rank, English
- 7
- letters
- 10
- tracked misspellings
- 3
- confusable pairs
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
Visual similarity to commonly confused words
How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).
Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | embrace |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Verb |
| IPA | /ɛmˈbɹes/ |
| Letters | 7 |
| Frequency rank | #5,494 |
| Misspellings tracked | 10 |
| Confusable pairs | 3 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “embrace” sits in English frequency
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
The English entry for embrace is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɛmˈbɹes/. Corpus data places it at rank #5,494 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 8 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.
Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for embrace, with forms such as "ebmrace", "embarce", and "embbrace". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 3 confusable-pair relationships, "emirate", "embraced", "embraces", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.
Etymologically, the entry records: The verb is derived from Middle English embracen (“to clasp in one's arms, embrace; to reach out eagerly for, welcome; to enfold, entwine; to ensnare, entangle; to twist, wrap around; to gird, put on; to lace; to be in or put into bonds; to put a shield on … The correct English form is embrace, spelled E-M-B-R-A-C-E.
Definition
- 1To clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
- 2To seize (something) eagerly or with alacrity; to accept or take up with cordiality; to welcome.
- 3To submit to; to undergo.
- 4To encircle; to enclose, to encompass.
- 5To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
- 6To fasten on, as armour.
- 7To accept (someone) as a friend; to accept (someone's) help gladly.
- 8To attempt to influence (a court, jury, etc.) corruptly; to practise embracery.
Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English embracen (“to clasp in one's arms, embrace; to reach out eagerly for, welcome; to enfold, entwine; to ensnare, entangle; to twist, wrap around; to gird, put on; to lace; to be in or put into bonds; to put a shield on the arm; to grasp (a shield or spear); to acquire, take hold of; to receive; to undertake; to affect, influence; to incite; to unlawfully influence a jury; to surround; to conceal, cover; to shelter; to protect; to comfort; to comprehend, understand”) [and other forms], from Old French embracer, embracier (“to kiss”) (modern French embrasser (“to kiss; (dated) to embrace, hug”)), from Late Latin *imbracchiāre, from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside, within’)) + bracchium (“arm”). The English word is analysable as em- + brace. The noun is derived from the verb.
This word in other languages
Common misspellings
Also misspelled as: ebmrace,embarce,embbrace,embracce,embraec,embrcae,embrrace,emmbrace,emrbace,mebrace
Misspelling Pattern Breakdown
How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of embrace - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you spell "embrace"?
What does "embrace" mean?
What words are commonly confused with "embrace"?
How do you pronounce "embrace"?
What is the origin of the word "embrace"?
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Using “embrace”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is E-M-B-R-A-C-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
- Say it as /ɛmˈbɹes/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
- Don't mix it up with “emirate” - see the side-by-side comparison. embrace vs emirate
- Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source
Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.