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You might think of a sconce (the word that when combined with the prefix en- forms ensconce) as a type of candleholder or lamp, but the word can also refer to a defensive fortification, usually one made of earth. Originally, then, a person who was ensconced was enclosed in or concealed by such a structure, out of harm's way. One of the earliest writers to apply the verb ensconce with the general sense of "hide" was William Shakespeare. In The Merry Wives of Windsor the character Falstaff, hoping to avoid detection when he is surprised during an amorous moment with Mrs. Ford, says "She shall not see me; I will ensconce me behind the arras."
Examples of ensconce in a Sentence
David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
While he was ensconced in the Top 10, Sedaka continued to write hits for other artists, remaining a regular composer for Francis but also reaching the charts with Jimmy Clanton.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
And making connections with their food once ensconced.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The backstory Greenwich, for the unfamiliar, is a prosperous city ensconced in Connecticut’s little panhandle.
—Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ensconce
Cite this Entry
“Ensconce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ensconce. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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ensconce
verb
