US /ɪŋˈɡʌlf/
verb Freq #35548

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    To cover or surround something completely.

    Within minutes the flames had engulfed the whole building.

  2. 2
    verb

    To affect someone or something completely, especially with a strong feeling.

    Depression engulfed her after her daughter's death.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to cover or surround... submergeswallow
2 verb · to affect someone or... overwhelm
Word family
Forms engulfedengulfingengulfs
Derived forms engulferengulfmentunengulfed

Etymology

From en- + gulf.

Topics

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