engross

verb

en·​gross in-ˈgrōs 

en-

engrossed; engrossing; engrosses

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

engrosser noun

Synonyms

• interest
• immerse
• intrigue
• fascinate
• occupy
• involve
• attract
• enthral
• busy

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

Shore has recently been engrossed in another kind of tribute to an entertainment legend, Richard Simmons, whom he's set to play in a feature film based on a short that's already made the rounds. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025

The individual episodes engross you in an enchanting mix of absurd situational humor and customary family crises, with each nestled closely next to poignant reminders of time’s passing. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Aug. 2025

You’ll be engrossed and saddened by the backstory to Jason Kaminsky, the one-time Nottingham Forest prospect who suffered from alcoholism and died in 2005, aged just 31. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

Frantic positional resource management is engrossing without becoming overwhelming. —Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser to put (a legal document) in final form, from Medieval Latin ingrossare, from in grossam (put) into final form, literally, (written) in large (letter)

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for engross

• arkose
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• glucose
• jocose
• morose
• vadose
• adios
• adipose
• amylose

Kids Definition

engross

verb

en·​gross in-ˈgrōs 

: to take up the whole interest or attention of : absorb

engrosser noun

engrossment

-mənt

noun

Legal Definition

engross

transitive verb

en·​gross in-ˈgrōs 

: 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.

engrossment noun

Etymology

Anglo-French engrosser to put (a legal document) in final form, from Medieval Latin ingrossare, from in grossam (put) into final form, literally, (written) in large (letter)