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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.
"A low stone wall encircles the old churchyard."
"Troops encircled the town before dawn."

How to Use Encircle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo surround something on all sides, forming a ring around it.

Common pairings
encircle the city encircled by mountains

Word Forms

encircled past tense, encircles singular

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A low stone wall _____ the old churchyard.

Etymology

Formed from en- + circle, meaning "to put into a circle."

Related Words

Rhymes for encircle

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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.

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