encounter

1 of 2

verb

en·​coun·​ter in-ˈkau̇n-tər 

en-

encountered; encountering in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ 

en-

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

encounter

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of encounter

Verb

• meet
• confront
• catch
• greet

Noun

• skirmish
• brush
• fight
• run-in

Examples of encounter in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

a chance encounter with a famous writer

The tour boat had a close encounter with a breeching humpback whale.

There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.

It was her first encounter with cigarettes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Samantha Morton as Circe Circe is a sorceress whose island Odysseus and his crew encounter during their voyage. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

The New Evidence also devotes time to the defense theory that Laci encountered the burglars who robbed the home of across-the-street neighbors Rudy and Susan Medina. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026

Noun

Local police routinely receive extensive instruction in traffic stops, neighborhood patrol, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and managing unpredictable encounters with the public. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

The encounter was intended to take place in the capital, Brasilia, on July 25. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing encounter

• encounter group
• re-encounter
• romantic encounter

Rhymes for encounter

• counter

Kids Definition

encounter

1 of 2 verb

en·​coun·​ter in-ˈkau̇nt-ər 

encountered; encountering -ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ 

-ˈkau̇n-triŋ

1

: to engage in a struggle with as an enemy or rival

2

: to come upon face-to-face : meet

3

: to come upon unexpectedly

encountered problems

encounter

2 of 2 noun

1

: a clash between enemies or rivals

also : a very unfriendly meeting

had an encounter with the boss

2

a

: a chance meeting

b

: a meeting face-to-face