verb
encircle
ihn-SURKL
Encircle (verb) means to form a ring around something; to surround completely. Example: “A low stone wall encircles the old churchyard.”
verb
1
To form a ring around something; to surround completely.
""Friday!" she called out, bursting open the doors and quickly encircling her friend in the warmth of her arms."
— Andrea Loewenstein, Snowbound (1983)
"It is also customary in the Orient and among Sephardim for the mourners to encircle the coffin of an erudite person seven times and recite Yoshayv besayter while making each circuit."
— Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer (1996)
"A low stone wall encircles the old churchyard."
"Troops encircled the town before dawn."
How to use encircle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo surround something on all sides, forming a ring around it.
Common pairings
encircle the city
encircled by mountains
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- encircles
- Past tense
- encircled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A low stone wall _____ the old churchyard.
Etymology
Formed from en- + circle, meaning "to put into a circle."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for encircle
See all rhymes for encircle →Frequently asked questions
What does “encircle” mean?
The word “encircle” means to form a ring around something; to surround completely. In plain terms, to surround something on all sides, forming a ring around it.
How do you pronounce “encircle”?
“Encircle” is pronounced ihn-SURKL (/ɪnˈsɝkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “encircle” in a sentence?
Here is “encircle” used in a sentence: “A low stone wall encircles the old churchyard.”
What is another word for “encircle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “encircle” include circulize, encompass and orb.
What part of speech is “encircle”?
“Encircle” is a verb.
