What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
engrave
Example
The artist engraved his signature on the sculpture. [engraved: past tense]
Example
She plans to engrave her initials on the silver bracelet. [engrave: verb]
incise
Example
The surgeon incised the patient's skin to perform the operation. [incised: past tense]
Example
He used a scalpel to incise a line on the paper. [incise: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Engrave is more commonly used than incise in everyday language, especially in the context of jewelry, art, or personalization. Incise is more commonly used in medical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between engrave and incise?
Both engrave and incise can be used in formal or technical contexts, but incise may be more formal due to its association with medical or scientific procedures.
