engulf

/ɪnˈɡʌlf/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈɡʌlf/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈgəlf en-/ (ame, mw)

engulf — verb

  • engulfpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • engulfshe / she / it
  • engulfedpast simple
  • engulfing-ing form

1. to enclose something completely by surrounding it on all sides, often with water

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to enclose something completely by surrounding it on all sides, often with water, flames, or darkness, so that it is fully hidden or swallowed up.

例句

Floodwaters engulfed several villages in the valley after the river burst its banks.

collocation: engulfed by floodwaters / river bursts banks

Thick black smoke from the factory fire engulfed the entire neighbourhood.

collocation: engulfed by smoke / fire

同義詞
  • swallow

    more active, as if taking something inside (the sea swallowed the ship)

  • overwhelm

    broader; can mean defeat or overpower, not necessarily by covering physically

  • submerge

    specifically about liquid covering something completely, often water

  • envelop

    gentler; implies wrapping around rather than consuming or destroying

反義詞
  • release

    to set free from something that surrounds or traps

  • expose

    to uncover or leave something without protection

文法句型

be engulfed by/in something

something engulfs something

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice (be engulfed by/in something) when describing the result of a disaster or powerful force. The subject is usually a natural element like fire, smoke, water, or darkness, but can also be an abstract force such as silence or fear.

常見錯誤

❌The water covered the village.
✅The water engulfed the village.
💡'cover' does not imply the intensity or completeness that 'engulf' does; 'engulf' suggests surrounding on all sides and overwhelming.