Words / B2

in-GULF/ɪnˈɡʌlf/

To engulf is to surround and swallow up completely, often of fire, water, or a crowd: engulfed in flames; engulfed by. Envelop (this batch) is a close twin that can be gentler (fog, darkness); swamp is informal. Do not write engulf for a splash. Mix-up: engulf vs engross; engulf vs gulf; do not write engulf for a small spill that does not cover the site.

Meaning

To surround and swallow up completely, often of fire, water, or a crowd.

Examples

• “Do not write engulf for a splash; name the flood depth or the fire spread if given.”
• “The town was engulfed by floodwater, which is still a named event — quote the return period if given.”

Good to know

engulfed in flames / by smoke / by a crowd. Close: envelop (this batch) / swallow up. Trap: engross / a small spill. Geography, history, and news. Completely covered, often harmfully — quote depth, area, or the fuel.

Near in meaning

swallow up, overwhelm, submerge

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