engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf 

en-

engulfed; engulfing; engulfs

transitive verb

1

: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm

the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island

2

: to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing

engulfment

in-ˈgəlf-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of engulf

• flood
• overwhelm
• drown
• submerge

Examples of engulf in a Sentence

The valley was engulfed in a thick fog.

high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community

Recent Examples on the Web

Police said the train dragged the car about 400 feet while it was engulfed in flames. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Another man, engulfed in feelings, shows his face to the world. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Greece has been spared, so far, the extreme heat that engulfed much of the rest of Europe. — ABC News, 4 July 2026

The impact caused a fire that engulfed the county bus, the NTSB said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for engulf

• gulf
• gulph

Kids Definition

engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf 

: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm

engulfment

-mənt 

noun