encircle
C1Formal, literary, technical (military)
Definition
Meaning
To form a circle around something; to surround completely.
To move in a circular path around something, often to confine, protect, or isolate. In military contexts, to surround an enemy force to cut off escape and supply.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, complete, and often hostile or protective act of surrounding. Can be both literal (physical) and figurative (e.g., encircled by problems).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The term is equally common in both formal and literary contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/literary in everyday speech for both. In military/political discourse, it's standard.
Frequency
Moderate and comparable frequency in both varieties. More common in written than casual spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + encircle + [Object][Subject] + be encircled + by/with + [Agent/Instrument]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “encircled by fire (literary/danger)”
- “to encircle the wagons (figurative, to adopt a defensive posture)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically, e.g., 'The new regulations could encircle our operations.'
Academic
Used in history, military studies, geography, and literature. E.g., 'The theory encircles several key concepts.'
Everyday
Less common. Used for emphasis, e.g., 'She encircled his name on the list.' or 'Mountains encircle the valley.'
Technical
Standard in military terminology. E.g., 'The objective is to encircle and neutralise the enemy division.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ancient stones encircle the burial site.
- Our plan is to encircle their defences before dawn.
- A sense of dread encircled the community.
American English
- The police will encircle the building during the operation.
- The highway encircles the downtown area.
- He gently encircled her wrist with his hand.
adverb
British English
- The vines grew encirclingly around the old trellis.
American English
- The dancers moved encirclingly around the central pole.
adjective
British English
- An encircling manoeuvre was executed flawlessly.
- The encircling gloom of the forest was oppressive.
American English
- They faced an encircling ring of fire.
- The encircling movement cut off all supply lines.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Draw a line to encircle the correct answer.
- The children held hands to encircle the tree.
- A high fence encircles the garden for privacy.
- The city is partly encircled by a river.
- The army managed to encircle the enemy forces, cutting off their retreat.
- A feeling of happiness encircled her as she read the letter.
- The novel's narrative subtly encircles the central theme of loss without ever stating it directly.
- Geopolitically, the nation found itself encircled by increasingly hostile neighbours.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of putting a CIRCLE 'EN' (in/around) something. EN + CIRCLE = ENCIRCLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROL/THREAT IS ENCIRCLING; PROTECTION IS ENCIRCLING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'окружать', which is broader. 'Encircle' is specifically a *complete* circle/surrounding. For less complete surrounding, use 'surround'.
- Not a direct translation for 'обводить' (to draw a circle) in most contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'encircle' for partial surrounding (e.g., 'Trees encircle half the lake').
- Confusing with 'circle' (verb) which implies movement around, not necessarily a static state of being surrounded.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'encircle' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are close synonyms, but 'encircle' often implies a more complete, circular, and deliberate formation. 'Surround' can be looser and from all directions, not necessarily forming a perfect circle.
Yes, it can be used figuratively. For example: 'She was encircled by doubt' or 'A myth encircles the origins of the ritual.'
The most direct noun is 'encirclement', commonly used in military and strategic contexts (e.g., 'the encirclement of the city').
No, it is redundant. 'Encircle' already contains the meaning of 'around'. Simply say 'encircle [object]'. Incorrect: 'The wall encircles around the castle.' Correct: 'The wall encircles the castle.'