Definition

1. Verb:
   • To surround or form a circle around something: To move or be positioned completely around an object, area, or person, often creating a circular or ring-like shape.
   • To bind or tie with something circular: To wrap or fasten something in a circular manner.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The ancient walls encircle the old city.
  • She used a ribbon to encircle the gift box.
  • The soldiers moved to encircle the enemy position.

Advanced Usage

• "to encircle something/someone with something": To surround using a specific object or material.
  • They encircled the campfire with stones.
• Used in a figurative sense: To describe being surrounded by abstract concepts like attention or influence.
  • A sense of dread encircled him as he entered the dark room.

Variants and Related Words

• Encircling (adj, present participle): Describing something that surrounds.
  • The encircling mountains were beautiful.
• Encirclement (n): The action or state of being surrounded.
  • The encirclement of the troops led to their surrender.

Synonyms

• Surround: To be all around something.
• Encompass: To form a circle about; enclose.
• Ring: To surround with or as if with a ring.
• Gird: To encircle or bind with a flexible band.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms that use the exact word "encircle." The concept is expressed directly.)

Verb

1. bind with something round or circular
2. form a circle around
   • encircle the errors