# surround

/sɝˈaʊnd/ (US) · /səɹˈaʊnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surround
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to be all around

verb · CEFR B1

to be everywhere around something or someone.

For teachers: to encircle or encompass something on all sides.

- Tall trees surround the lake, making it feel very private.
- The medieval city walls once completely surrounded the old town, protecting the inhabitants from external threats for centuries.

### 2. to trap or hem in

verb · CEFR B2

to move around someone or something so they cannot escape.

For teachers: to enclose or confine a person or group on all sides to prevent movement or escape.

- The police surrounded the building and told the suspect to come out.
- The troops moved quickly to surround the enemy position, cutting off all potential supply lines and escape routes before nightfall.

### 3. a border or frame

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a border or decorative frame that goes around something, like a fireplace.

For teachers: a decorative or functional border or casing that encircles an object.

- They chose a modern marble surround for the new fireplace.
- The architect specified a brushed-metal surround for the doorway to complement the industrial aesthetic of the gallery space.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of home fixtures like 'fireplace surround'.

## Examples

- The fireplace has a beautiful stone surround.
- The designer chose a dark wood surround for the television to help it blend into the library shelves.
- While the central mosaic is the main attraction, the intricate marble surround provides a necessary visual transition to the simpler floor tiles of the gallery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.