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

The widening Iran war engulfed Egypt in a drone strike that encompassed the Suez Canal, which had, so far, been beyond Iran’s attention. — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026

In the first few seconds, the drums are engulfed by powerful synth stabs. — Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026

Home surveillance video shared with Fox News Digital shows flames engulfing the backyard as the fire spread. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

The resulting, room-sized artwork engulfed visitors in a swirling fantasia featuring bouncing balls, morphing nets and slow-motion action shots of Messi. — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 29 July 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