envelop

1 of 2

verb

en·​vel·​op in-ˈve-ləp 

en-

enveloped; enveloping; envelops

transitive verb

1

: to enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering

2

: to mount an attack on (an enemy's flank)

envelopment

in-ˈve-ləp-mənt 

en-

noun

envelopment

2 of 2

noun

en·​vel·​op·​ment ə̇nˈveləpmənt 

enˈ-

plural -s

1

: the act of enveloping or the state of being enveloped

2

: an attack directed against one or both flanks or the rear of the enemy's forces and usually accompanied by an attack against his front

3

: two consecutive binds in fencing carrying the opponent's blade in a complete circle

Synonyms of envelop

Verb

• house
• enclose
• surround
• encase
• confine
• include

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

Verb

As White’s deep voice enveloped the theater, photographs of protests filled the screens behind her, creating the musical’s most poignant moment. — Maya Santiago, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

On an 1888 rolling historic Victorian estate just off the bustling South Congress Avenue, Hotel Saint Cecilia offers a lavish collection of 20 bungalows, suites, and studios enveloped in a lush canopy of trees. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

That trough disrupted the high pressure bubble near the Great Basin that was responsible for a West Coast heat wave that finally enveloped the Bay Area last week. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

During this hour in his presence a very tangible sense of aloneness enveloped me. — Chris Ware, The New York Review of Books, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English envolupen, from Anglo-French envoluper, envoleper, from en- + voluper to wrap

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for envelop

• develop
• redevelop

Kids Definition

envelop

verb

en·​vel·​op in-ˈvel-əp 

: to surround and enclose completely with or as if with a covering

envelopment

-mənt 

noun