Definition

1. Verb:
   • To extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle: To be or form a circle or boundary around something, completely enclosing it.
   • To envelop completely: To cover or enclose something on all sides, often creating a barrier or atmosphere.
   • To be all around (someone or something): To exist or be positioned on every side of a person, place, or thing.

Usage

• The core meaning of "surround" is to be or go completely around something, forming a perimeter. It describes a state of being encircled or the action of causing that encirclement.
• It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the thing that is being surrounded).
• It is often used in both physical contexts (e.g., walls, people, nature) and abstract contexts (e.g., feelings, atmosphere).

Examples

• Physical Encircling:
  • Tall mountains surround the quiet valley.
  • The police officers moved to surround the building.
  • A beautiful garden surrounds the old cottage.
• Abstract/Atmospheric Enveloping:
  • A sense of peace surrounds her.
  • Mystery still surrounds the disappearance of the ancient civilization.
  • He likes to surround himself with talented people.

Advanced Usage

• "to surround oneself with": To deliberately choose to have particular people or things around you.
  • She surrounds herself with books and art.
• Used in passive voice to describe a state.
  • The castle is surrounded by a deep moat.
  • We found ourselves surrounded by curious children.

Variants and Related Words

• Surroundings (n): The things and conditions that are all around a person or thing; the environment.
  • She took a moment to observe her new surroundings.
• Surrounded (adj): Describing something that has something else all around it.
  • The surrounded troops had no choice but to surrender.

Synonyms

• Encircle: To form a circle around.
• Envelop: To completely cover or surround something.
• Enclose: To close or shut in on all sides.
• Ring: To form or take the shape of a ring around.

Phrasal Verbs

• Surround with: To place something all around something else. (This is the standard construction, not a separable phrasal verb).
  • They surrounded the memorial with flowers.

Related Idioms

• Surround sound: A system of sound reproduction using multiple speakers to create the effect of sound coming from all directions, enveloping the listener.
  • The home theater has an excellent surround sound system.

Noun

1. the area in which something exists or lives
   • the country--the flat agricultural surround

Verb

1. surround with a wall in order to fortify
2. surround so as to force to give up
   • The Turks besieged Vienna
3. envelop completely
   • smother the meat in gravy
4. extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
   • The forest surrounds my property