engulf — to surround, cover, or swallow up completely
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to surround, cover, or swallow up completely
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈɡʌlf/
Example Sentences
- My homework was engulfed by my dog's enthusiasm for paper.
- The fog engulfed the entire mountain range.
- She was engulfed by a feeling of overwhelming happiness.
engulf
VERB[/ɪnˈɡʌlf/]
to surround, cover, or swallow up completely
Massive wave completely engulfs the surfers
The wolf watches as darkness engulfs the gulf.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the prefix 'en-' (meaning to cause to be or put into) combined with 'gulf' (a deep chasm or abyss). The word emerged in English around the 17th century, with 'gulf' itself deriving from Italian 'golfo' and ultimately from Greek 'kolpos' meaning bay or gulf.
Breakdown
en- (to cause to be/put into) + gulf (abyss, deep water) = engulf (to completely surround or swallow up)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My homework was engulfed by my dog's enthusiasm for paper.”
“The fog engulfed the entire mountain range.”
“She was engulfed by a feeling of overwhelming happiness.”
“The quicksand threatened to engulf the explorer's boots.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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