verb

enter

EHN-tuh

verb

To go into a place.

"Please knock before you enter the room."

"The car entered the tunnel and disappeared from view."

To begin taking part in something, such as a career, agreement, or competition.

"She entered the marathon for the first time this year."

"The two countries entered into a trade agreement."

To type or record information, as into a computer or a ledger.

"Enter your password to continue."

How to Use Enter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo go into a place, or to start taking part in something (a contest, a deal, a career).

Common pairings

enter a competition enter the room enter data enter into an agreement

Word Forms

entered past tense, entred past tense, enter plural, entered plural, entred plural, Enters plural, enters singular, enter singular, entered singular, entred singular, enterest singular, entrest singular, enteredst singular, entredst singular, entres singular

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Please knock before you _____ the room.

Etymology

From Old French entrer, from Latin intrare ("to go in"). British English keeps the French-style "-re" ending in related words like "centre" and "theatre," while American English uses "enter"-style "-er" spellings for those.

Synonyms

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go in ingo come in

Antonyms

exit

Related Words

die exit entrance come leave death departure entry

Rhymes for enter

center renter carpenter presenter

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