Enter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈen-tər/ en·ter

Meaning & Definition of Enter

Enter (verb)

  1. to go or come in
  2. to come or gain admission into a group, join —often used with into
  3. to make a beginning

Enter (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go or come in or into

    "the hikers entered the cave with considerable caution"

    similar: access, penetrate, pierce, set foot in, step into
    related: barge (in), breeze (in), burst (in or into), waltz (in), drop in, pop (in), stray (into), wander (into), crash, encroach, gate-crash, infiltrate, infringe, intrude, invade, trespass
    opposite: depart, exit, leave

  2. to become a member of

    "patriotic young men and women entering the armed services"

    "debutantes entering society"

    similar: enlist (in), enroll (in), join, sign on (for), sign up (for)
    related: reenlist, reenroll, reenter, rejoin, re-up, get in
    opposite: demit
    near: drop out, quit, withdraw

  3. to put (someone or something) on a list

    "new voters fill out a form and elections officials enter their names into the database"

    similar: catalog, enroll, index, inscribe, list, put down, record, register, schedule, slate
    related: book, card, file, note, classify, compile, tabulate, tally, reschedule
    near: delete

  4. to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to

    "the club enters only five new members a year"

    similar: admit, receive, take
    related: entertain, welcome, fellowship, confirm, ratify
    opposite: ban, bar
    near: decline, disallow, disapprove, dismiss, refuse, reject, blackball, blacklist, ostracize, banish, deport, exile, expel, oust, throw out

Related Entry: Enter (into or upon) (verb)

Enter (into or upon) is a different word from Enter. The synonyms below are for enter (into or upon), not for enter.

  1. to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

    "a series of counseling sessions intended to help young couples about to enter into the trials and tribulations of marriage"

    similar: begin, commence, embark (on or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, lead off, open, start, strike (into), get going, get to, set about
    related: create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, adopt, embrace, take on, take up, establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn, get around (to), get down (to), get round (to)
    opposite: conclude, end, finish, terminate
    near: cease, desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, stop, close, complete, abandon, forsake, leave, abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Enter

The most common words with a similar meaning to Enter:

access, penetrate, pierce, enlist (in), enroll (in), join, sign on (for), sign up (for), catalog, enroll, index, inscribe, list, put down, record, register, schedule, slate, admit, receive, take, set foot in, step into

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Enter

Words with the opposite meaning of Enter:

depart, exit, leave, demit, ban, bar

Related Words for Enter

barge (in), breeze (in), burst (in or into), waltz (in), drop in, pop (in), stray (into), wander (into), crash, encroach, gate-crash, infiltrate, infringe, intrude, invade, trespass, reenlist, reenroll, reenter, rejoin, re-up, get in, book, card, file, note, classify, compile, tabulate, tally

Near Antonyms of Enter

drop out, quit, withdraw, delete, decline, disallow, disapprove, dismiss, refuse, reject, blackball, blacklist, ostracize, banish, deport, exile, expel, oust, throw out

Word Forms of Enter

Inflections: entered, entering

Derived words: enterable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Enter

Middle English entren, from Anglo-French entrer, from Latin intrare, from intra within; akin to Latin inter between inter-

First known use: 13th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Enter

Words & Phrases Containing Enter

enter-, enter into, enter the lists, enter common usage, enter (into) the equation, enter office, enter one's head, enter politics, enter someone's mind/head

Frequently Asked Questions about Enter

What does "Enter" mean?

"Enter" means to go or come in. As a verb, it is defined as: to go or come in. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Enter"?

Other words for "Enter" include access, penetrate, pierce, enlist (in), enroll (in), join, sign on (for) and sign up (for). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Enter" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Enter"?

There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Enter". Common alternatives include access, penetrate, pierce, enlist (in), enroll (in), join, sign on (for), sign up (for), catalog and enroll.

What is the opposite of "Enter"?

Antonyms of "Enter" include depart, exit, leave, demit, ban and bar. Near antonyms include drop out, quit, withdraw and delete.

How do you use "Enter" in a sentence?

Examples of "Enter" in a sentence: "the hikers entered the cave with considerable caution"; "patriotic young men and women entering the armed services"; "debutantes entering society".

Is "Enter" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Enter" is a verb.

Is "Enter" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Enter" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Enter"?

"Enter" is pronounced /ˈen-tər/ and divided into syllables as en·ter.