ENGLISH
REFERENCE

encounter

v. · n.
US //ɪnˈkaʊnɝ// UK //ɛnkˈaʊntɐ// en·counter
  1. 1 to meet or find (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to meet someone or find something, especially when you did not plan to.

    to meet or come across someone or something unexpectedly. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    We encountered several problems while trying to set up the new software.

    Example

    During the expedition, the team encountered a rare species of orchid that had not been documented in this region for decades.
  2. 2 to face a challenge (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to experience or deal with something difficult.

    to be faced with or experience something, typically something unpleasant or difficult to manage.

    Example

    The project encountered strong opposition from the local community.

    Example

    The proposed legislation is expected to encounter significant resistance when it reaches the upper house for debate.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 unexpected meeting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a meeting that happens by chance.

    an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.

    Example

    A brief encounter with an old friend at the airport made my day.

    Example

    The memoir describes a chance encounter with a famous poet that changed the course of the author's career.
  2. 4 a conflict or fight (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a violent or difficult meeting between two people or groups.

    a hostile or adversarial meeting, such as a skirmish, clash, or intense competition.

    Example

    The protest ended after a brief encounter between the police and the crowd.

    Example

    The border patrol reported a violent encounter with armed smugglers in the early hours of the morning.
  3. 5 sports match (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sport

    a game or match between two teams.

    a sporting competition or match between two opposing sides.

    Example

    The two teams are preparing for their next encounter in the final.

    Example

    Fans are eagerly anticipating the weekend's encounter between the league leaders and their historic rivals.
  4. 6 extrajudicial killing (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Dialect Law

    a situation where the police kill a suspected criminal without a trial.

    a euphemism for an extrajudicial killing by the police or security forces.

    Example

    The news reported that the suspect was killed in a police encounter.

    Example

    Human rights organizations have called for an independent inquiry into the recent encounter in the outskirts of the city.

    Usage

    Specific to Indian English and South Asian media contexts.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is highly regional; outside of South Asia, 'encounter' would not be understood as a killing.
Origin

From Middle English encountren, from Anglo-Norman encountrer, Old French encontrer (“to confront”), from encontre (“against, counter to”), from Late Latin incontrā (“in front of”) itself from Latin in (“in”) + contrā (“against”).

© 2026 English Reference