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

Chinese state media reported there is no sign of survivors at a border crossing which was engulfed by the flood wave. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Berlin’s artistic director, Tricia Tuttle, had to issue a formal statement regarding the media storm that threatened to engulf the festival. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

The Santa Clara Police Department said officers who responded to a report of a vehicle collision found a GMC SUV on its side fully engulfed in fire and a silver Honda pickup truck. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Those officials moved into these elevated positions in the months following the Herald/Times’ reporting on the scandal engulfing the embattled charity. — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 27 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