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

An upper-level trough in the Pacific Northwest that has kept that dome from enveloping California and driving up temperatures into the 100s has been just as influential, the weather service said. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

That pressure mirrored the underlying stress that’s currently enveloping the journalism world. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Not only is this the highest resolution presentation, but the theater screens themselves are also massive, curved and somewhat square-shaped, allowing the audience to feel enveloped by the movie. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 July 2026

The cylindrical backrest envelops the guest, encouraging conversation and connection. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 July 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