encounter
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1en·coun·ter
verb \in-ˈkau̇n-tər, en-\en·coun·tereden·coun·ter·ing \-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of ENCOUNTER
transitive verb
1
a : to meet as an adversary or enemy b : to engage in conflict with
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly <encounter difficulties>
intransitive verb
: to meet especially by chance
See Examples of ENCOUNTER
- We encountered problems early in the project.
- The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.
- Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.
Origin of ENCOUNTER
Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against — more at counter
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to ENCOUNTER
- Synonyms
- catch, chance (upon), meet, happen (upon), stumble (upon)
Rhymes with ENCOUNTER
2encounter
nounDefinition of ENCOUNTER
1
: a meeting between hostile factions or persons : a sudden often violent clash <an encounter between the police and demonstrators>
2
a : a chance meeting <an accidental encounter> b : a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person <a romantic encounter>
3
: a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body <the Martian encounter of a spacecraft>
Examples of ENCOUNTER
- a chance encounter with a famous writer
- He's accused of having had sexual encounters with several young women.
- There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.
- It was her first encounter with cigarettes.
First Known Use of ENCOUNTER
14th century
Rhymes with ENCOUNTER
Learn More About ENCOUNTER
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