English Reference

Word

enter

Phoneticsen·ter, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈɛnɝ/

UK/ˈɛntɐ/

Definitions

01to go inside

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.

“Please knock on the door before you enter the office.”

“The suspect was seen to enter the building through a side door just minutes before the alarm was triggered.”

Pitfall

He entered into the room.

He entered the room.

When talking about physical movement into a place, do not use 'into' after 'enter'.

Antonyms

02to type information

B1 · Intermediate Computing

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.

“You need to enter your password to see your messages.”

“The clerk had to enter the transaction details manually because the barcode scanner was malfunctioning.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

03to join or start

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.

“She decided to enter the medical profession after university.”

“As the country enters a period of economic recovery, consumer confidence is expected to rise significantly.”

Antonyms

04to join a competition

B1 · Intermediate Sports

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.

“More than five hundred runners have entered the marathon this year.”

“The artist decided to enter her latest sculpture into the national gallery's summer exhibition.”

Synonyms

joinsign upcompete

Antonyms

05to start a formal agreement

B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal

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'.

“The two companies decided to enter into a partnership.”

“The government refused to enter into negotiations until all protesters had cleared the square.”

Usage

Usually takes the preposition 'into' in this sense.

06computer key

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Computing

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.

“Type your name and then press enter.”

“After configuring the network settings, the administrator hit enter to apply the changes to the server.”

Synonyms

return key

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “enter” in context.

01. enter phase

Confusables

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.

RememberEnter a room; enter into a deal.

Etymology

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.

Word family

VERB

enter(A2)

Idioms

Domains

ComputingLaw

This entry

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

QR code

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English Reference