encircle

[ en-sur-kuh l ]

/ ɛnˈsɜr kəl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR encircle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), en·cir·cled, en·cir·cling.

to form a circle around; surround; encompass: to encircle an enemy.

to make a circling movement around; make the circuit of.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PUNCTUATION!

Commas mark divisions in sentences. Periods end declarative sentences. Apostrophes show possession. Easy, right? Well, punctuation can get pretty tricky—fast. Think you got what it takes to be a punctuation expert? Take our quiz to prove it!

Question 1 of 10

Which of the options below is the best punctuation for the sentence? It__s your turn to pick the movie __ but your sister gets to pick the board game we _ re going to play.

Its your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game were going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie, but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of encircle

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at en-¹, circle

OTHER WORDS FROM encircle

en·cir·cle·ment, nounun·en·cir·cled, adjective

Words nearby encircle

enchondrosarcoma, enchorial, encina, encincture, encipher, encircle, encke, encke's comet, encke's division, encl., enclasp

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for encircle

Some religious groups even plan to encircle the courthouse on Monday to pray.
Online Activism, Nationwide Protests Deepen Ahead of Supreme Court Health-Care Hearing|Daniel Stone|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Wang's silver cuffs and earrings that encircle the ear, outfitted with dagger-like appendages, were far from demure.
All That Glitters|Alisa Gould-Simon|February 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
At all events, Sylvander, the storms of life will quickly pass, and one unbounded spring encircle all.
Robert Burns|Gabriel Setoun
Outwardly, a line of monasteries flanked with towers appeared to encircle the city.
Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15)|Charles Morris

It would have been the easiest thing for Gaga to encircle her with his arm, but he did not do so.
Coquette|Frank Swinnerton
The next specimen is less satisfactory, because devoid of the hope that should encircle the death of the Christian.
Curious Epitaphs|William Andrews
A ludicrously insufficient force was attempting to encircle a larger and better equipped one.
Sir John French|Cecil Chisholm

British Dictionary definitions for encircle

encircle

/ (ɪnˈsɜːkəl) /

verb

(tr) to form a circle around; enclose within a circle; surround

Derived forms of encircle

encirclement, nounencircling, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

encircle

verb (used with object), en·cir·cled, en·cir·cling.

QUIZZES

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PUNCTUATION!

Origin of encircle

OTHER WORDS FROM encircle

Words nearby encircle

Words related to encircle

Example sentences from the Web for encircle

British Dictionary definitions for encircle

verb

Derived forms of encircle