enfold

verb

en·​fold in-ˈfōld 

en-

enfolded; enfolding; enfolds

transitive verb

1

a

: to cover with or as if with folds : envelop

b

: to surround with a covering : contain

2

: to clasp within the arms : embrace

Synonyms of enfold

• wrap
• envelop
• enclose
• shroud
• encase

Examples of enfold in a Sentence

The dish is made of vegetables enfolded in a pastry crust.

We watched as darkness enfolded the city.

Recent Examples on the Web

George’s cluckingly affectionate aunt wants to enfold Hedda in a tradition that would consign her to the role of wife and mother. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026

The building enfolds Vanessa German’s East Flatbush People’s Museum of Love and Wonder, a collection of cloying installations. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Feb. 2026

Some may find this a bit too fine-grained, overly implicated in language’s self-enfolding folds. —Katie Kadue, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Julia walked with her head high, at a normal pace, confident now that the slope beside her would serve as a safety net like the one that enfolded Vroni—the German welfare state. —Nell Zink, New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for enfold

• ahold
• behold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled
• consoled
• controlled
• cotswold
• eightfold
• enrolled
• extolled
• fivefold

Kids Definition

enfold

verb

en·​fold in-ˈfōld 

1

: to cover with folds : enclose in the folds of something

2

: embrace entry 1 sense 1, hug