Embodied: meaning, definitions and examples

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embodied

 

[ ɪmˈbɒdi ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

in psychology

Representing or expressing an idea or quality completely and in a tangible form.

Synonyms

incarnate, manifested, personified.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
embodied

Used when something is given tangible, physical form, often in the context of abstract ideas or concepts.

  • The artist's feelings are embodied in the sculpture
  • The company's values are embodied in its mission statement
personified

Often used to describe someone (or something) that embodies certain qualities or traits to an extreme degree, giving human attributes to abstract qualities.

  • He was greed personified, always hoarding money
  • The hero was courage personified in the battle
manifested

Used to describe something that has become evident or obvious, often in reference to signs or symptoms.

  • His fear manifested as a shaking hand
  • The disease manifested itself with sudden fever and chills
incarnate

Commonly used to describe a person or being that represents an abstract concept or quality in a physical form, often with a sense of divine or mystical significance.

  • The villain in the story was evil incarnate
  • She was kindness incarnate, always ready to help others

Examples of usage

  • The character in the novel is the embodied spirit of perseverance.
  • Through her dance, she embodied the emotions of the music.
  • The painting embodied the essence of love and passion.
Context #2 | Verb

in philosophy

To give a tangible or visible form to an abstract concept.

Synonyms

exemplify, represent, symbolize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
embodied

Use 'embodied' when you want to talk about something that physically represents or contains an idea or quality. It's often used to describe a person or object that clearly demonstrates a concept.

  • She embodied the spirit of the revolution
  • The monument embodied the town's resilience
represent

Use 'represent' when talking about standing in for something or someone, or illustrating an idea through a symbol or a figure. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts.

  • He will represent the company at the conference
  • The dove represents peace
symbolize

Use 'symbolize' when you want to talk about something acting as a sign or symbol that stands for a deeper meaning or concept. It's often used in literature and art.

  • The phoenix symbolizes rebirth and renewal
  • The red flag symbolizes danger
exemplify

Use 'exemplify' when you want to give an example that demonstrates or illustrates a point or quality. It's often used in academic or formal writing.

  • Her actions exemplify the dedication of an ideal employee
  • This painting exemplifies the style of the Renaissance period

Examples of usage

  • She embodied the principles of justice in her actions.
  • His artwork embodies the struggle for freedom and equality.
  • The statue perfectly embodies the beauty of simplicity.

Translations

Translations of the word "embodied" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incorporado

🇮🇳 साकार

🇩🇪 verkörpert

🇮🇩 berwujud

🇺🇦 втілений

🇵🇱 ucieleśniony

🇯🇵 具現化された

🇫🇷 incarné

🇪🇸 encarnado

🇹🇷 vücut bulmuş

🇰🇷 구체화된

🇸🇦 مجسد

🇨🇿 ztělesněný

🇸🇰 vtelený

🇨🇳 体现

🇸🇮 utelesljen

🇮🇸 holdtekin

🇰🇿 дене

🇬🇪 ხორცშესხმული

🇦🇿 cisimlənmiş

🇲🇽 encarnado

Etymology

The word 'embodied' originated from the Middle English word 'embodien', which combined 'em-' (intensive prefix) and 'bodien' (to give physical form). The concept of embodying ideas or qualities has been present in various cultures throughout history, often associated with symbolism and manifestation.

See also: embodiment, embodying, reembodied.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,924 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.