envelop

verb

en·​vel·​op in-ˈve-ləp 

en-

enveloped; enveloping; envelops

transitive verb

1

: to enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering

2

: to mount an attack on (an enemy's flank)

envelopment

in-ˈve-ləp-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of envelop

• house
• enclose
• surround
• encase
• confine
• include

Examples of envelop in a Sentence

a chronic mistrust of outsiders envelops that neighborhood, cutting it off from the rest of the city

the truth of the presidential assassination is enveloped in a dense fog of myths and conspiracy theories

Recent Examples on the Web

The nervous tension that had enveloped the Emirates was banished, replaced by a carnival atmosphere. —Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026

With an Obsidian/Safety Orange/White color combination, the style was fully enveloped in denim years before the textile became an industry-wide trend. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 May 2026

These are enveloped, negative-strand RNA viruses whose genomes consist of three segments. —ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

Sunny skies and mild breezes are enveloping the Pharmalot campus once again. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English envolupen, from Anglo-French envoluper, envoleper, from en- + voluper to wrap

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for envelop

• develop
• redevelop

Kids Definition

envelop

verb

en·​vel·​op in-ˈvel-əp 

: to surround and enclose completely with or as if with a covering

envelopment

-mənt 

noun