verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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encirclesimple
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encirclessimple
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have encircledperfect
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has encircledperfect
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am encirclingprogressive
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are encirclingprogressive
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is encirclingprogressive
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have been encirclingperfect progressive
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has been encirclingperfect progressive
Past
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encircledsimple
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had encircledperfect
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was encirclingprogressive
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were encirclingprogressive
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had been encirclingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of encircle
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at en- 1, circle
Explanation
To encircle is to surround, or to make a circle around. On the last night of summer camp, the counselors and campers traditionally encircle the campfire and sing songs. Prisons are encircled by barbed wire fences, and hot, damp pavement encircles most public swimming pools. When you hug your little sister, you encircle her with your arms. If your tomato plants are growing too tall and flopping over, you should encircle them with twine to hold them up. Encircle adds the prefix en-, "make or put in" to circle, from its Latin root circus, or "ring."
Vocabulary lists containing encircle
Florida's B.E.S.T Roots: circ, circum
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Other upgrades to the park are also in the works, including an iron fence that would encircle the green space.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Thirty-six dancers with raised arms glide slowly forward as they encircle their prey, a lone figure on a red table in a climactic scene from Ravel's "Bolero" choreographed by Maurice Bejart.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
It already displays two prominent, sweeping arms that encircle a bright central bulge, stretching across about 30,000 light-years.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 3, 2025
They constructed a 35-mile earthen berm around the city in an attempt to encircle its one million residents.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
At the base of the aqueduct, the First and Second Cohorts were trying to encircle Polybotes, but they were taking a pounding.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
A cooler ring encircles the hot center near the limb of the planet.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2025
Since 2019, it has expanded its attacks from northern Burkina Faso and now encircles Ouagadougou, threatening links with neighbouring Ivory Coast, Togo and Mali.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2025
“Seek” is a commentary about our shifting climate, using tech that encircles us to create a sense of presence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2024
This is the first time the M25 motorway, which encircles the capital, will be entirely shut for a weekend.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2024
I slice one of them, but another encircles my legs and closes them tight.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Khanal had earlier told reporters on Saturday that Nepal needed greater research to "understand the changing dynamics of the Himalayan ecosystem" and the risks they pose to the landlocked country, encircled by India and China.
From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026
Jupiter currently has more than 100 reported moons, while Saturn, which is also encircled by an extensive ring system, has more than 280.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
Several hundred city residents, social justice activists, and dozens of Newark police officers encircled the DHS site where Baraka was being held.
From Salon ● May 30, 2026
Gen Syrskiy, acknowledged his troops were withstanding the "pressure of a multi-thousand enemy grouping" but denied they were encircled.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025
Then his mother stood up and encircled him with her arms.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
The small patch of dirt encircling Carmen Silverio Guardado’s home bears fruit — lots of it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
She pointed out one pup with a piece of trash encircling its neck.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
The “spiritual alchemist” who turns her San Antonio home into what looks like the HQ of a drug cartel by encircling the place with an 8-foot concrete wall.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
Chinese authorities have published a map showing several large zones encircling Taiwan where the operations are taking place.
From Barron's ● Dec. 30, 2025
The inked dragon curled around his right forearm, its tail encircling the letters KAT branded into his skin.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
