engulf

American  

[en-guhlf] / ɛnˈgʌlf /

Also ingulf

verb (used with object)

1. to swallow up in or as in a gulf; submerge.

   The overflowing river has engulfed many small towns along its banks.

   Synonyms:

   swamp, deluge, inundate, bury, envelop

2. to plunge or immerse, as into a gulf.

   He engulfed himself in his studies.

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engulf British  

/ ɪnˈɡʌlf /

verb

1. to immerse, plunge, bury, or swallow up

2. (often passive) to overwhelm

   engulfed by debts

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Other Word Forms

• engulfment noun

Etymology

Origin of engulf

First recorded in 1545–55; en- ¹ + gulf

Example Sentences

Almost exactly a year ago, another rock-era institution — the 111-year-old Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of the Doors’ fifth studio album — was engulfed in flames after a series of smaller fires.

From Los Angeles Times

Tomlin spent the better part of the month engulfed in speculation as to whether or not he and Pittsburgh were ready to part company.

From The Wall Street Journal

At that time, inside the bar, flames had engulfed the basement.

From Barron's

It's a really popular destination year round, quite a high-end market, and not the kind of place where you would expect a fire to engulf a bar.

From BBC

A 19th century church in Amsterdam was engulfed by fire in the early hours of New Year's Day, although the cause of the blaze is not yet known.

From BBC

Related Words

• bury
• consume
• encompass
• envelop
• flood
• immerse
• inundate
• overrun
• overwhelm
• plunge
• submerge
• swamp