emblazon

/ɛmˈbleɪzən/

Other forms: emblazoned; emblazoning; emblazons

To emblazon is to decorate something with words or symbols. If you're running for student council, you might emblazon t-shirts with your name and hand them out to your classmates.

The word emblazon means the same thing as the word blazon, “to depict or paint armor.” Both words have roots in the English word blaze, in the sense of “to make public.” No one uses blazon anymore, and these days you can emblazon anything—not just armor! Colleges and universities frequently sell sweatshirts and hats emblazoned with their logos, for example.

Definitions of emblazon

1. verb

   decorate with heraldic arms
   synonyms: blazon

   type of:

   adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament

   make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.
2. verb

   decorate with colors
   synonyms: color, colour

   types:

   miniate

   paint with red lead or vermilion

   type of:

   adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament

   make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.