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

Lego Friends Friendship Tree House Hangout My tween loves building with small things and gets completely engrossed in creating her own little communities, which is why the Lego Friends Friendship Tree House Hangout is right up her alley. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 8 July 2025

At dinner, Lee seemed distracted, engrossed with something on his phone. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 7 July 2025

The Senate burns the midnight oil hoping to pass Trump’s spending agenda, the man accused of fatally stabbing four college students in Idaho appears to have accepted a plea deal, and the city of Los Angeles is again engrossed in a legal battle over immigration. —Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 1 July 2025

To preoccupy is to dominate or engross the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts. —Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 24 June 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)