encounter

1 of 2

verb

en·​coun·​ter in-ˈkau̇n-tər 

en-

encountered; encountering in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ 

en-

transitive verb

1

a

: to meet as an adversary or enemy

b

: to engage in conflict with

2

: to come upon face-to-face

3

: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly

encounter difficulties

intransitive verb

: to meet especially by chance

encounter

2 of 2

noun

1

: a meeting between hostile factions or persons : a sudden often violent clash

an encounter between the police and demonstrators

2

a

: a chance meeting

an accidental encounter

b

: a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person

a romantic encounter

3

: a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body

the Martian encounter of a spacecraft

Synonyms of encounter

Verb

• meet
• confront
• catch
• greet

Noun

• skirmish
• brush
• fight
• run-in

Examples of encounter in a Sentence

Verb

We encountered problems early in the project.

The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.

Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.

Noun

a chance encounter with a famous writer

The tour boat had a close encounter with a breeching humpback whale.

There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.

It was her first encounter with cigarettes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Today, all of these books are considered classics, which means that most of us encounter them only in the classroom, as objects of dutiful study. —Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026

How to make time for workouts In her clinic, Pasculli encounters lots of patients who struggle with scheduling exercise into their calendars. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Noun

During an encounter, experts say to maintain eye contact with the animal, try to appear as large as possible, slowly back away without turning your back on the animal and to not run. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026

The play takes place on a subway train, and though that remains a pivotal setting, Gaines’ opens up the drama, situating Clay and Lula within a broader social landscape, reinforcing the idea that their encounter is not isolated but embedded in the violence of New York City. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against — more at counter

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing encounter

• encounter group
• re-encounter
• romantic encounter

Rhymes for encounter

• counter

Kids Definition

encounter

1 of 2 verb

en·​coun·​ter in-ˈkau̇nt-ər 

encountered; encountering -ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ 

-ˈkau̇n-triŋ

1

: to engage in a struggle with as an enemy or rival

2

: to come upon face-to-face : meet

3

: to come upon unexpectedly

encountered problems

encounter

2 of 2 noun

1

: a clash between enemies or rivals

also : a very unfriendly meeting

had an encounter with the boss

2

a

: a chance meeting

b

: a meeting face-to-face