surround
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for surround, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To be positioned on all sides of something; to encircle.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use surround
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle French souronder, from Late Latin superundare ("to overflow"), from super- ("over") + unda ("wave").
Full origin of surround →Frequently asked questions
What does “surround” mean?
The word “surround” means to be positioned on all sides of something; to encircle. In plain terms, to encircle something on all sides, or the border that does so.
How do you pronounce “surround”?
“Surround” is pronounced suh-ROWND (/səˈɹaʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “surround” in a sentence?
Here is “surround” used in a sentence: “A high wall surrounds the old castle.”
What is another word for “surround”?
Words with a similar meaning to “surround” include environ, embed, ensphere, bebay and beset.
What part of speech is “surround”?
Depending on how it is used, “surround” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “surround” come from?
The word “surround” comes from Late Latin. From Middle French souronder, from Late Latin superundare ("to overflow"), from super- ("over") + unda ("wave").
Is “surround” a common word?
“Surround” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “surround” have?
“Surround” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be positioned on all sides of something; to encircle.
What is the difference between surround and encircle?
"Surround" means to be positioned on all sides of something, which can apply loosely to being generally around an area or object. "Encircle" more specifically implies forming a complete, ring-like boundary around something, so it is a more precise, circular version of surrounding.
What is the difference between "surround" as a verb and as a noun?
As a verb, "surround" means to be positioned on all sides of something, as in "trees surround the house." As a noun, a "surround" refers to a border or frame that goes around something, such as a decorative surround around a fireplace.