engulf

1 of 2

verb

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

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

engulfment

2 of 2

noun

en·​gulf·​ment "mənt How to pronounce engulfment (audio)
plural -s
: the act of engulfing or state of being engulfed

Examples of engulf in a Sentence

Verb 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
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Verb
The March blaze in Golders Green, an area in north London with a large Jewish population, engulfed four ambulances belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a Jewish volunteer organization that provides medical care in the neighborhood. Frank Andrews, CBS News, 9 June 2026 About 8,000 people died from that quake and tsunami waves of up to 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet) that engulfed several towns and provinces, Bacolcol said. ABC News, 9 June 2026 DeVaux, the first female trainer to win a Kentucky Derby, is engulfed in embraces, including from her stepdaughter, who is crying hysterically. Sean Gregory, Time, 9 June 2026 About 8,000 people died from that quake and tsunami waves of up to 26 to 33 feet that engulfed several towns and provinces, Bacolcol said. Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for engulf

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of engulf was in 1555

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Cite this Entry

“Engulf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engulf. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

engulf

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

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