engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf 

en-

engulfed; engulfing; engulfs

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

in-ˈgəlf-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of engulf

• flood
• overwhelm
• drown
• submerge

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

Ellesse Falcon, 35, left her 12 dogs inside her apartment and headed to a nearby grocery store Wednesday afternoon, only to return about half an hour later to find her building engulfed in flames. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

The Mazda was engulfed in flames, and all three vehicles were virtually destroyed. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Per the state police, the crash involved two passenger vehicles, one of which was fully engulfed in fire. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

When his business is violently robbed, and one of his own is killed, Rodney embarks on a reckless quest for revenge that threatens to engulf the entire Clarke family. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for engulf

• gulf
• gulph

Kids Definition

engulf

verb

en·​gulf in-ˈgəlf 

: to flow over and enclose : overwhelm

engulfment

-mənt 

noun