encompass
in-KUM-puhs
Encompass (verb) means to include a wide range of things as part of a single whole. Example: “The role encompasses everything from budgeting to hiring.”
verb
1
To include a wide range of things as part of a single whole.
"The role encompasses everything from budgeting to hiring."
"Her research encompasses both medieval and early modern law."
2
formal To surround or enclose something completely.
"A high stone wall encompasses the entire garden."
How to use encompass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cover or include a lot of different things.
When to use it
Formal to neutral; common in academic, legal and business writing.
Memory tip
Encompass takes a direct object with no preposition: say "it encompasses three regions", not "it encompasses of".
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
encompass vs comprise
encompass vs incorporate
Common pairings
encompass a range of
broadly encompass
encompass everything from
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The role _____ everything from budgeting to hiring.
Etymology
Formed from the prefix en- "in" and compass in its older sense of a circuit or extent.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for encompass
See all rhymes for encompass →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between encompass and include?
Include simply says something is one of the parts; encompass stresses that the whole reaches across a wide or varied range. "The course includes statistics" names one component, while "the course encompasses statistics" suggests statistics is one of many fields it spans.
Is encompasses a word?
Yes, it is the third person singular present form: "the term encompasses several disorders". The past tense and participle is encompassed.
What is the difference between encompass and comprise?
Comprise means to be made up of a complete list of parts, so "the committee comprises nine members" implies there are exactly nine. Encompass makes no claim to completeness and simply says the range is broad.
What is the meaning of encompass?
"encompass" (verb) means to include a wide range of things as part of a single whole.
