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encounterto meet or come across someone or something, especially unexpectedly

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to meet or come across someone or something, especially unexpectedly

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈkaʊntər/

Example Sentences

  • I encountered my math teacher buying ice cream at 2 AM - we both pretended not to see each other!
  • When I encountered the final boss in the game, I realized I forgot to save my progress for 3 hours.
  • Students encounter various challenges when preparing for the college entrance exam.

encounter

VERB

[/ɪnˈkaʊntər/]

to meet or come across someone or something, especially unexpectedly

The hikers encountered a wild deer while walking through the forest.
💡 Concept

The hikers encountered a wild deer while walking through the forest.

The explorer encountered a bear deep in the forest. (Meet + Bear → Meet unexpectedly)
🧠 Mnemonic

The explorer encountered a bear deep in the forest. (Meet + Bear → Meet unexpectedly)

The explorers encountered an ancient cave, discovered hidden treasures, and safely recovered the valuable artifacts.
🎵 Rhyme

The explorers encountered an ancient cave, discovered hidden treasures, and safely recovered the valuable artifacts.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪnˈkaʊntər/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪnˈkaʊntə(r)/

🌳Etymology

Prefixen--
Rootcounter
Suffix--

Origin

From Old French 'encontrer', derived from the prefix 'en-' (in, into) combined with 'contre' (against), which comes from Latin 'contra' meaning against or opposite.

Breakdown

en- (in, into) + contre (against, from Latin contra) = encounter (to meet face-to-face or come up against)

🎵Rhyme

counterfounderbounderrounder
counter
founder
bounder
rounder

🔗Collocations

encounter difficulties

We may encounter difficulties during the project.

chance encounter

Their chance encounter led to a lifelong friendship.

first encounter

My first encounter with Shakespeare was in high school.

encounter problems

The team encountered unexpected problems.

close encounter

He had a close encounter with a wild bear.

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

I encountered my math teacher buying ice cream at 2 AM - we both pretended not to see each other!

😄 Fun example

When I encountered the final boss in the game, I realized I forgot to save my progress for 3 hours.

Students encounter various challenges when preparing for the college entrance exam.

Scientists encounter new discoveries that change our understanding of the world.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

meetfaceconfrontexperiencecome across

Antonyms

avoidevadeescape

Related

meetingconfrontationexperiencediscoverycontact

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