engross

verb

en·gross | \ in-ˈgrōs

, en-\

engrossed; engrossing; engrosses

Definition of engross

transitive verb

1a : to copy or write in a large hand

b : to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (an official document)

2 [ Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser, from en gros wholesale, in quantity ]

a : to purchase large quantities of (as for speculation)

b archaic : amass, collect

c : to take or engage the whole attention of : occupy completely ideas that have engrossed the minds of scholars for generations

Other Words from engross Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about engross

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of engross in a Sentence

a mystery story that will engross readers all the way to the surprise ending

Recent Examples on the Web

As stage lights streamed through the foggy air, fans could see the passion of the band, as the musicians engrossed themselves in each song. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summerfest 2019: Brandi Carlile, Lonely Island, T-Pain and the best and worst on the side stages on Day 3," 28 June 2019 Has anywhere since so engrossed you in its ocean of details? — Benjamin Taylor, Harper's magazine, "Exit Ghost," 10 Mar. 2019 On the surface, the Wilsons are just like many of us in today’s digital age: Completely disconnected from each other and engrossed in their own needs, desires, and fears. — Candice Frederick, Harper's BAZAAR, "Us Offers a Terrifying Vision of Judgement Day," 26 Mar. 2019 Within minutes, he was engrossed with a grandson—Mr. — Eun-young Jeong, WSJ, "A Perilous Journey to Escape Kim Jong Un’s North Korea," 20 Dec. 2018 For the rehearsal dinner, guests were engrossed in an authentic Mexican night of drinking, dancing and celebrating; a nonconventional pre-ceremony event the couple dubbed their Fiesta Blanco. — Carley K, Harper's BAZAAR, "Samantha & Jonathan Glass' Oceanfront Wedding in Playa Del Carmen," 23 Mar. 2017 The writing and voice acting are movie-quality good, and the story’s tragic arc is engrossing to the end. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Ars Technica’s best games of 2018," 24 Dec. 2018 Klassen struggled early with woodworking and with working with recycled lumber, but engrossed himself in learning the craft and collecting tools. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "The Man, the Wood, and the River," 1 Dec. 2018 And the drama will so engross people that the facts fall by the wayside. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Roger Ailes was “not rational”: Alexis Bloom on her new film about the Fox News founder," 11 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'engross.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about engross

Dictionary Entries near engross

Statistics for engross

Last Updated

20 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for engross

The first known use of engross was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for engross

engross

verb

English Language Learners Definition of engross

: to hold the complete interest or attention of (someone)

See the full definition for engross in the English Language Learners Dictionary

engross

verb

en·gross | \ in-ˈgrōs

engrossed; engrossing

Kids Definition of engross

: to take the attention of completely He was engrossed in a book.

engross

transitive verb

en·gross | \ in-ˈgrōs

Legal Definition of engross

: to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (as a bill or resolution) especially for final passage or approval the amendment was ordered to be engrossed — Congressional Record — see also engrossed bill at bill sense 1 — compare enroll

Note: A bill or resolution is engrossed in the Congress and some state legislatures before its third reading and final passage by one of the legislative houses.