enter
Enter (verb) means to go into a place. Example: “Please knock before you enter the room.”
How to use enter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go into a place, or to start taking part in something (a contest, a deal, a career).
Word forms
entered past tense, entred past tense, enter plural, entered plural, entred plural, Enters plural, enters singular, enter singular, entered singular, entred singular, enterest singular, entrest singular, enteredst singular, entredst singular, entres singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please knock before you _____ the room.
Etymology
From Old French entrer, from Latin intrare ("to go in"). British English keeps the French-style "-re" ending in related words like "centre" and "theatre," while American English uses "enter"-style "-er" spellings for those.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for enter
See all rhymes for enter →Frequently asked questions
What does “enter” mean?
The word “enter” means to go into a place. In plain terms, to go into a place, or to start taking part in something (a contest, a deal, a career).
How do you pronounce “enter”?
“Enter” is pronounced EHN-tuh (/ˈɛntɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “enter” in a sentence?
Here is “enter” used in a sentence: “Please knock before you enter the room.”
What is another word for “enter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enter” include go in, ingo and come in.
What is the opposite of “enter”?
The opposite of “enter” — its antonyms — is exit.
What part of speech is “enter”?
“Enter” is a verb.
Where does the word “enter” come from?
The word “enter” comes from Latin.
Is “enter” a common word?
“Enter” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between "enter" and "exit"?
Enter means to go into a place; exit means to go out of it. They are opposites describing movement across a boundary, so you enter a room and later exit it. In computing, "enter" can also mean to type in data, while "exit" means to close or leave a program.
What are the other meanings of "enter"?
Besides going into a place, "enter" can mean to type or record information ("enter your password"), to join or take part in something ("enter a contest"), or to begin a new period or state ("enter a new phase"). Context makes clear which sense is meant.
What is the opposite of "enter"?
The main opposites are "exit," "leave," and "depart," all meaning to go out of or away from a place. In the data sense, where entering means typing information in, the rough opposite would be to delete or remove what was recorded.
What is an example of "enter" in a sentence?
"Please enter through the main door" describes going into a place. "Enter your name in the box" means to type in information. Both are everyday uses of the verb, one describing physical movement and the other recording data.
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