enter
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to go or come into a room, building, or area.
v.to go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
Simple“Please knock on the door before you enter the office.”
In context“The suspect was seen to enter the building through a side door just minutes before the alarm was triggered.”
PitfallHe entered into the room. He entered the room.When talking about physical movement into a place, do not use 'into' after 'enter'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to type information into a computer or write it in a book.
v.to record or input data into a computer system, ledger, or official record.
Simple“You need to enter your password to see your messages.”
In context“The clerk had to enter the transaction details manually because the barcode scanner was malfunctioning.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to start being part of a group, a profession, or a new stage of life.
v.to become a member of a profession or organization, or to begin a specific period or state.
Simple“She decided to enter the medical profession after university.”
In context“As the country enters a period of economic recovery, consumer confidence is expected to rise significantly.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to put your name forward to take part in a race or competition.
v.to submit one's name or work for participation in a competition or examination.
Simple“More than five hundred runners have entered the marathon this year.”
In context“The artist decided to enter her latest sculpture into the national gallery's summer exhibition.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to officially start a formal agreement or conversation with someone.
v.to formally begin a process or become a party to an agreement. Usually used with 'into'.
Simple“The two companies decided to enter into a partnership.”
In context“The government refused to enter into negotiations until all protesters had cleared the square.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'into' in this sense.
- 06 A2 Elementary
n.the key on a computer keyboard that you press to start a new line or finish a command.
n.the specific key on a computer keyboard used to execute a command or move the cursor to the next line.
Simple“Type your name and then press enter.”
In context“After configuring the network settings, the administrator hit enter to apply the changes to the server.”
Synonymsreturn key
enter vs enter into — Enter takes a physical location as a direct object, while enter into requires a preposition to discuss abstract commitments or formal processes.
Usage entered the final · enter a new · entered his house
From Middle English entren, from Old French entrer, from Latin intrō (“enter”, verb), from intrā (“inside”). Has been spelled as "enter" for several centuries even in the United Kingdom, although British English and the English of many Commonwealth Countries (e.g. Australia, Canada) retain the "re" ending for many words such as centre, fibre, spectre, theatre, calibre, sombre, lustre, and litre.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.