en·vel·op
in-ˈve-ləp 
en-
enveloped; enveloping; envelops
1
: to enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
2
: to mount an attack on (an enemy's flank)
en·ve·lope
ˈen-və-ˌlōp
ˈän-
ˈän-
1
: a flat usually paper container (as for a letter)
3
a
: the outer covering of an aerostat
b
: the bag containing the gas in a balloon or airship
4
a
: a natural enclosing covering (such as a membrane, shell, or integument)
b
: a lipoprotein unit membrane that forms the outer layer of some virions
5
a
: a curve tangent to each of a family of curves
b
: a surface tangent to each of a family of surfaces
6
: a set of performance limits (as of an aircraft) that may not be safely exceeded
also
: the set of operating parameters that exists within these limits
7
: a conventionally accepted limit
new computers that push the envelope
How do you pronounce envelope?: Usage Guide
The \ˈen-\ and \ˈän-\ pronunciations are used with about equal frequency, and both are fully acceptable, though the \ˈän-\ version is sometimes decried as "pseudo-French." Actually \ˈän-\ is exactly what one would expect to hear when a French word like entrepreneur is becoming anglicized. Envelope, however, has been in English for nearly 300 years, plenty of time for it to become completely anglicized and for both of its pronunciations to win respectability.
Synonyms of envelop
Examples of envelop in a Sentence
Verb
a chronic mistrust of outsiders envelops that neighborhood, cutting it off from the rest of the city
the truth of the presidential assassination is enveloped in a dense fog of myths and conspiracy theories
Recent Examples on the Web
Gordon Ebanks,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
From downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley, tens of thousands were enveloped in unhealthful levels of smoke, even as some local officials told residents that the air posed no danger.
—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
21 June 2026
Small, thoughtful gestures—like a family outing or surprise envelopes—can make your child feel celebrated.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for envelop
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Almost too perfectly, a news release confirming the nuptials was sent out as rain started pouring and a sense of calm enveloped the area.
—
Gordon Ebanks,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
From downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley, tens of thousands were enveloped in unhealthful levels of smoke, even as some local officials told residents that the air posed no danger.
—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Noun
One example of a surprising fashion show led to interaction with guests presenting the spring 2024 collection in Milan, when staff members handed envelopes to attendees seated in the two grandstands facing a minimal black set.
—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
21 June 2026
Small, thoughtful gestures—like a family outing or surprise envelopes—can make your child feel celebrated.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for envelop
Cite this Entry
“Envelop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/envelop. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
envelop
verb
en·vel·op
in-ˈvel-əp
: to surround and enclose completely with or as if with a covering
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