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You might think of a sconce (the word that when combined with the prefix en- forms ensconce) as a type of candleholder or lamp, but the word can also refer to a defensive fortification, usually one made of earth. Originally, then, a person who was ensconced was enclosed in or concealed by such a structure, out of harm's way. One of the earliest writers to apply the verb ensconce with the general sense of "hide" was William Shakespeare. In The Merry Wives of Windsor the character Falstaff, hoping to avoid detection when he is surprised during an amorous moment with Mrs. Ford, says "She shall not see me; I will ensconce me behind the arras."
Examples of ensconce in a Sentence
Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
The longline fit and open front feels like being ensconced in your favorite blanket (even when seated in coach), but while the sweater can be worn casually, it can also be dressed up and worn with a maxi dress, wide-leg jeans, or even a silk midi skirt.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
From upon high, ensconced in the McCovey Suite, Bochy and Baker watched it, too.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Once ensconced in California after establishing himself as a Silicon Valley tech executive, Hilton hosted the Fox News Sunday night show, The Next Revolution.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ensconce
Cite this Entry
“Ensconce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensconce. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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ensconce
verb
