envelop

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

Synonyms of envelop

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

Examples of envelop in a Sentence

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

For over a decade, Claire and Jamie Fraser have loved each other across centuries, continents, and wars; their devotion as enduring as the Highland mist that first enveloped their story. —Carly Witteman, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026

The next afternoon Jackie enveloped her one-day-old egg with her body. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

Last year, McDonald’s reintroduced the chicken Snack Wrap, a palm-size crispy chicken strip enveloped in a tortilla. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

Voluminous, structured, and enveloping coats dominate, along with a lot of shearling the outerwear really becomes a key stylistic manifesto. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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