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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
Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
Happiness is equated early on to alpine hamlets ensconced between verdant mountains carved by pristine waterfalls.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Caleb Durbin has ranked among the worst offensive performers in MLB since joining the Red Sox, and with Trevor Story out and Marcelo Mayer now ensconced at shortstop, the Red Sox are rotating through a series of utility players who would otherwise be relegated to bench duty.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
The hotel spa includes a hammam, gravitational tub, sauna, and salt wall, all of which are ensconced among Roman ruins.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 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 9 Jun. 2026.
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ensconce
verb
