Word
encircle
Phoneticsen·cir·cle, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛnˈsɝkəɫ/
UK/ɛnsˈɜːkəl/
Definition
v. to go around something and make a circle around it, closing it in on all sides.
v. to surround or form a closed ring around something, enclosing it on all sides.
Examples
“Tall trees encircle the small lake.”
“Police officers encircle the square to keep the crowd away from the stage.”
“Ancient walls still encircle the old town, marking where merchants once passed through guarded gates at dawn.”
Examples
simple
“Tall trees encircle the small lake.”
contextual
“Police officers encircle the square to keep the crowd away from the stage.”
complex
“Ancient walls still encircle the old town, marking where merchants once passed through guarded gates at dawn.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “encircle” in context.
Verb
01. encircle camp
“Soldiers set up posts to encircle the camp.”
verb + noun
02. encircle city
“Enemy troops moved in to encircle the city by nightfall.”
verb + noun
03. encircle tower
“Ancient oaks encircle the tower and hide it from view.”
verb + noun
04. hills encircle
“Green hills encircle the valley and keep it sheltered.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. completely encircle
“High stone walls completely encircle the old town.”
adv + verb
06. fully encircle
“The moat fully encircles the castle on all sides.”
adv + verb
07. tightly encircle
“His arms tightly encircle her waist.”
adv + verb
Noun
08. encircle by troops
“By dawn, the fortress was encircled by troops on every side.”
verb + prep + noun
09. encircle with fence
“They plan to encircle the garden with a fence to keep deer out.”
verb + prep + noun
10. completely encircle the city
“The ancient walls completely encircle the city for nine kilometres.”
11. encircled by armed troops
“The protesters found themselves encircled by armed troops within minutes.”
12. hills encircle the valley
“Low green hills encircle the valley and protect it from wind.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“In recent weeks, Houthi forces have encircled the city of Taiz — Yemen’s third largest urban centre — by cutting its main road south to Aden, causing widespread displacement and worsening a humanitarian crisis.” “The successful assault blunted an attempted Russian pincer movement that threatened to encircle the key Fortress Belt cities still under Ukrainian control.” “Yemeni government forces are encircled by the Houthis in Taiz, where blockades on road routes have worsened shortages.” “The polar vortex is a ring of strong westerly winds encircling the North Pole every winter, around 10-30 miles (16-48km) above the Earth's surface.” Etymology
From en- + circle.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/encircle