encounter

[ en-koun-ter ]

verb (used with object)

1. to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly:

   to encounter a new situation.

2. to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.):

   We encounter so many problems in our work.

3. to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict:

   We will encounter the enemy at dawn.

verb (used without object)

1. to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict:

   We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.

noun

1. a meeting with a person or thing, especially a casual, unexpected, or brief meeting:

   Our running into each other was merely a chance encounter.

2. a meeting of persons or groups that are in conflict or opposition; combat; battle:

   Another such encounter and we may lose the war.

3. Psychology. a meeting of two or more people, as the members of an encounter group or a number of married couples marriage encounter, conducted to promote direct emotional confrontations among the participants, especially as a form of therapy encountertherapy.

encounter

/ ɪnˈkaʊntə /

verb

1. to come upon or meet casually or unexpectedly
2. to come into conflict with (an enemy, army, etc) in battle or contest
3. tr to be faced with; contend with

   he encounters many obstacles in his work

noun

1. a meeting with a person or thing, esp when casual or unexpected
2. a hostile meeting; contest or conflict

Derived Forms

• enˈcounterer, noun

Other Words From

• en·counter·er noun
• preen·counter noun verb (used with object)
• reen·counter verb noun
• unen·countered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encounter¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French enco(u)ntrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unrecorded), equivalent to in- in- ¹ + -contrāre, verb suffix derived from contrā “against”; counter ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of encounter¹

C13: from Old French encontrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unattested), from Latin in- ² + contrā against, opposite

Example Sentences

A new opinion paper assesses one way in which we might be able to learn from our encounters with smallpox.

From Popular-Science

Walker’s deputy chief of staff at the time, Jang, said Potts told her just before the encounter that she was expecting to meet with Walker as well as Mallott.

From ProPublica

The most touching things were the encounters I would have … when a kid with so much on the line quietly comes out to you while shaking your hand, passes you a note, and you’re just thinking about what that kid might be up against.

From Ozy

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, all Republicans, wore masks in encounters with the president in the last week.

From Fortune

Several police groups issued a statement ahead of the hearing saying the board would invite “members whose qualifications are inherently based on negative encounters with peace officers.”

From Voice of San Diego

Hatuey replied that he would rather burn and be sent to hell than ever again encounter people as cruel as the Spanish.

From The Daily Beast

This is heartfelt music, and after a first encounter you will find yourself coming back for more.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, she says other people she has shared the story with described the sexual encounter as rape.

From The Daily Beast

Outside of that one encounter, however, Moses is pretty meek.

From The Daily Beast

What if healthy sexuality was the framework that young adults used to process every sexual message that they encounter?

From The Daily Beast

All along the highways and by-paths of our literature we encounter much that pertains to this "queen of plants."

From Project Gutenberg

If now we turn to the higher aspects of form, such as symmetry and proportion, we encounter a difficulty.

From Project Gutenberg

During his mild régime the insurrection increased rapidly, and in one encounter he himself was very near falling a prisoner.

From Project Gutenberg

Following the boys, Baptiste entered by the kitchen door to encounter the mother and three daughters preparing the meal.

From Project Gutenberg

Monsieur Quérin saluted and declared himself enchanted at the encounter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• action
• battle
• bout
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• contest
• dispute
• quarrel
• run-in
• skirmish
• violence