surround
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to be everywhere around something or someone.
v.to encircle or encompass something on all sides.
Simple“Tall trees surround the lake, making it feel very private.”
In context“The medieval city walls once completely surrounded the old town, protecting the inhabitants from external threats for centuries.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move around someone or something so they cannot escape.
v.to enclose or confine a person or group on all sides to prevent movement or escape.
Simple“The police surrounded the building and told the suspect to come out.”
In context“The troops moved quickly to surround the enemy position, cutting off all potential supply lines and escape routes before nightfall.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a border or decorative frame that goes around something, like a fireplace.
n.a decorative or functional border or casing that encircles an object.
Simple“They chose a modern marble surround for the new fireplace.”
In context“The architect specified a brushed-metal surround for the doorway to complement the industrial aesthetic of the gallery space.”
UsageCommonly used in the context of home fixtures like 'fireplace surround'.
Usage surrounded by his family
“I found myself surrounded by thousands of young people all singing the same songs, swaying to the same rhythm, and participating in the same moment.”
“Carolina Molina says she was out delivering business cards in Falls Church, Virginia, when she saw ICE agents, who then surrounded her car.”
From Middle English sourrounden (“to submerge, overflow”), from Middle French souronder, suronder, from Late Latin superundō, from super + undō (“to rise in waves”), from unda (“wave”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.