encounter — to 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.

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.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
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
🔗Collocations
“We may encounter difficulties during the project.”
“Their chance encounter led to a lifelong friendship.”
“My first encounter with Shakespeare was in high school.”
“The team encountered unexpected problems.”
“He had a close encounter with a wild bear.”
📝Examples
“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.”
“Scientists encounter new discoveries that change our understanding of the world.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.