engulf
ihng-GUHLF
Engulf (verb) means to completely surround or cover something, often suddenly and overwhelmingly. Example: “Flames quickly engulfed the old warehouse.”
verb
1
To completely surround or cover something, often suddenly and overwhelmingly.
"Only Noah and his family survived when the Flood engulfed the world."
"Flames quickly engulfed the old warehouse."
"A wave of grief engulfed her when she heard the news."
How to use engulf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo swallow up or overwhelm something completely, whether that's fire, water, or an emotion.
Common pairings
engulfed in flames
engulf a building
engulfed by darkness
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- engulfs
- Past tense
- engulfed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Flames quickly _____ the old warehouse.
Etymology
From en- + gulf, literally "to swallow into a gulf".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “engulf” mean?
The word “engulf” means to completely surround or cover something, often suddenly and overwhelmingly. In plain terms, to swallow up or overwhelm something completely, whether that's fire, water, or an emotion.
How do you pronounce “engulf”?
“Engulf” is pronounced ihng-GUHLF (/ɪŋˈɡʌlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “engulf” in a sentence?
Here is “engulf” used in a sentence: “Flames quickly engulfed the old warehouse.”
What part of speech is “engulf”?
“Engulf” is a verb.
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