engross

verb

en·​gross in-ˈgrōs How to pronounce engross (audio)
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

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 Frances was a professional through and through, totally engrossed by science. Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2024 Email, instant messaging, phone calls, and texts, are just a few ways to interrupt someone engrossed in a task. Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 Camille Peri’s engrossing A Wilder Shore: The Romantic Odyssey of Fanny and Robert Louis Stevenson recounts in some detail the very unromantic odyssey that led Fanny to her meeting with Louis. Phyllis Rose, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2024 In Jonathan Blake’s engrossing Noēma piece, that fact is this: unlike most cities that developed along rail and streetcar lines, Los Angeles’ (sub)urban development clustered around those many places where underground oil fields were tapped. Longreads, 2 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for engross 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'engross.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near engross

Cite this Entry

“Engross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engross. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

engross

verb
en·​gross in-ˈgrōs How to pronounce engross (audio)
: to take up the whole interest or attention of : absorb
engrosser noun
engrossment
-mənt
noun

Legal Definition

engross

transitive verb
en·​gross in-ˈgrōs How to pronounce engross (audio)
: 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 engrossedCongressional 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on engross

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