engulf

1 of 2

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
engulfed; engulfing; engulfs
Synonyms of engulf

transitive verb

1
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island
2
: to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
engulfment
in-ˈgəlf-mənt How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
noun

engulfment

2 of 2

noun

en·​gulf·​ment "mənt How to pronounce engulfment (audio)
plural -s
: the act of engulfing or state of being engulfed

Synonyms of engulf

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Verb

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Examples of engulf in a Sentence

Verb The valley was engulfed in a thick fog. high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Police said the train dragged the car about 400 feet while it was engulfed in flames. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Another man, engulfed in feelings, shows his face to the world. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Greece has been spared, so far, the extreme heat that engulfed much of the rest of Europe. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 The impact caused a fire that engulfed the county bus, the NTSB said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

Rhymes for engulf

See All Rhymes for engulf

Browse Nearby Words

engs
engulf
engulfment
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Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

engulf

verb
en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
engulfment
-mənt How to pronounce engulf (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on engulf

Nglish: Translation of engulf for Spanish Speakers

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