encircle — to form a circle around something; to surround completely
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to form a circle around something; to surround completely
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/
Example Sentences
- My cat likes to encircle my legs when I'm cooking, hoping for some food to drop.
- The hedge encircled the entire garden, providing privacy from nosy neighbors.
- The satellites encircle Earth in their orbital paths.
encircle
VERB[/ɪnˈsɜːrkəl/]
to form a circle around something; to surround completely

Wolves encircle the lone campfire as the traveler grips his torch tighter.

Purple dancers encircle in a perfect circle
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived in the 14th century from Old French 'encercler', which traces back to Latin 'circulus' meaning 'small circle'. The word combines the prefix 'en-' (meaning 'to put in' or 'to cause to be') with 'circle', creating a term that visualizes completely surrounding or wrapping something within a circular boundary.
Breakdown
en- (in, to cause to be) + circle (from Latin circulus, meaning round or circular form).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat likes to encircle my legs when I'm cooking, hoping for some food to drop.”
“The hedge encircled the entire garden, providing privacy from nosy neighbors.”
“The satellites encircle Earth in their orbital paths.”
“She encircled the correct answers with a red pen during the exam review.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.