Encounter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Encounter
Encounter (verb)
- to meet as an adversary or enemy
- to engage in conflict with
- to come upon face-to-face
Encounter (noun)
- a meeting between hostile factions or persons, a sudden often violent clash
- a chance meeting
- a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person
Encounter (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
"quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe"
-
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
"we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house"
-
to enter into contest or conflict with
"the troops encountered bands of guerrilla fighters as they made their way across the desert"
Encounter (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
a brief clash between enemies or rivals
"survived an encounter with the school bully at the local park"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Encounter
The most common words with a similar meaning to Encounter:
Near Antonyms of Encounter
Word Forms of Encounter
Inflections: encountered, encountering
Origin & Etymology of Encounter
Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against counter
First known use: 14th centuryt
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Encounter
- CEFR level: B2 English Vocabulary — Page 9
- Topics: Greetings & Introductions, Common Actions / Verbs
Words & Phrases Containing Encounter
Frequently Asked Questions about Encounter
What does "Encounter" mean?
"Encounter" means to meet as an adversary or enemy. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to meet as an adversary or enemy. It has 4 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Encounter"?
Other words for "Encounter" include catch, chance (upon), happen (upon), meet, stumble (upon), find, happen (on or upon) and hit (upon). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Encounter" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Encounter"?
There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Encounter". Common alternatives include catch, chance (upon), happen (upon), meet, stumble (upon), find, happen (on or upon), hit (upon), light (on or upon) and pitch (upon).
How do you use "Encounter" in a sentence?
Examples of "Encounter" in a sentence: "quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe"; "we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house"; "the troops encountered bands of guerrilla fighters as they made their way across the desert".
Is "Encounter" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Encounter" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.
Is "Encounter" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a B2-level word, "Encounter" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.
How do you pronounce "Encounter"?
"Encounter" is pronounced /in-ˈkau̇n-tər/ and divided into syllables as en·coun·ter.
What is the origin of the word "Encounter"?
"Encounter" comes from Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against counter. First known use: 14th centuryt.