engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
en-
engulfed; engulfing; engulfs
Synonyms of engulfnext

transitive verb

1
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
the mounting seas threatened to engulf the island
2
: to take in (food) by or as if by flowing over and enclosing
engulfment noun

Examples of engulf in a Sentence

The valley was engulfed in a thick fog. high waves from the hurricane engulfed large areas of the coastal community
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When a fire begins in a room without ventilation, the heat radiates downward, eventually engulfing all combustible items in its path, causing a flashover, per NFPA. Melina Khan, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026 When firefighters arrived, the home was already engulfed in flames, with at least four adults and two children inside. Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025 One of the choppers was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025 In the cockpit, Shirley Red 1 was suddenly engulfed in blinding light. Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

engulf

verb
en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf How to pronounce engulf (audio)
: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm
engulfment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on engulf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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