ensconce

American  

[en-skons] / ɛnˈskɒns /

verb (used with object)

ensconced, ensconcing

1. to settle securely or snugly.

   I found her in the library, ensconced in an armchair.

2. to cover or shelter; hide securely.

   He ensconced himself in the closet in order to eavesdrop.

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ensconce British  

/ ɪnˈskɒns /

verb

1. to establish or settle firmly or comfortably

   ensconced in a chair

2. to place in safety; hide

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Etymology

Origin of ensconce

First recorded in 1580–90; en- ¹ + sconce ²

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Explanation

If you ensconce yourself somewhere, you settle in for quite a while, such as when you're home with the flu and ensconce yourself on the couch with the remote control, tissues, your phone, and a big glass of orange juice. Ensconce dates to the 1580s, when it literally meant "to cover with a fort." It isn't quite clear whether the word can be traced to French or Dutch, which has a word schans that describes "earthwork." Today, you don't need a protective structure like a fort in order to be ensconced, but the idea of being surrounded is key to the word's meaning.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ensconce ensconced ensconcing

Not surprisingly, John and Yoko quickly ensconce themselves among the nation’s glitterati, making vital connections with the likes of "yippie" founder Jerry Rubin, Black Panther Bobby Seale and poet Allen Ginsberg.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2025

Importantly, the proposed legislative findings would ensconce in federal statutory law our national commitment to “uninhibited, robust, and wide-open” debate while recognizing that certain defamation claims are contrary to that principle.

From Slate ● Jan. 22, 2023

Now, though – with Valverde gone and Suárez injured – Griezmann can ensconce, and against Getafe he showed his potential, applying a lovely finish to Lionel Messi’s through-ball before contributing to Sergi Roberto’s winner.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 17, 2020

I’ll happily ensconce random electronics in my flesh, but they have to feel at least a little useful.

From The Verge ● Jul. 21, 2017

The real estate taxes her father was paying would have been double the amount of money required to ensconce her in the most expensive boarding school.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

All of the captains and crews sought to avoid being captured on video footage and remained ensconced or quickly moved inside the ships’ bridges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Even in the landscape of celebrity podcasts, there’s a presumption that celebrities can be more honest as they’re ensconced in a safe space with people just like them.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026

The fee is so ensconced that many states have implemented a cap on it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

They could not quite make the biggest leap of all, but they were firmly ensconced in the upper echelons.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

I returned to the motorcade and rode back to the Hay-Adams, ensconced in my bubble.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

William has doubled down on royal life, ensconcing his children in the privacy of the Windsor Estate with the aim of giving them as normal a life as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

The branches dipped low, ensconcing me with the solace I needed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2026

Her children recalled her as wildly creative, toiling in an unheated attic and ensconcing herself in a collection of secondhand books that became so voluminous it eventually blocked the sunlight from entering her bedroom windows.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 21, 2020

The longer, leaner Bcozzy lacks the plush, ensconcing neck support of the Travelrest Ultimate or Cabeau Evolution.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2018

"Certainly—pulsatilla!" muttered the homeopathist: and, ensconcing himself in his own corner, he also sought to sleep.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, July, 1851 by Various

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Related Words

• situate
• stash

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