Surrounding — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /sə-ˈrau̇nd/ sur·round

Meaning & Definition of Surrounding

Surrounding (verb)

  1. to enclose on all sides, envelop
  2. to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat, invest
  3. to form or be a member of the entourage of

Surrounding (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in embracing, encircling

    similar: bounding, circumjacent, embracing, encircling, enclosing, fencing, rimming, attached, communicating, connected, connecting, interconnecting, joined, linked, united, marginal, peripheral, tangent, tangential, approximate, close, closest, immediate, near, nearby, nearest, next-door, nigh, ambient, encompassing, abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, conterminous, contiguous, flanking, flush, fringing, joining, juxtaposed, neighboring, skirting, touching, verging
    opposite: nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart, detached, disconnected, discrete, free-standing, isolate, isolated, removed, separate, single, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, away, distant, far, faraway, far-off, farthest, remote, discontinuous, noncontinuous, broken up, disjoined, dissevered, dissociated, disunited, divided, divorced, parted, ramified, resolved, severed, split, sundered, uncoupled, unyoked

Surrounding (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to form a circle around

    "she was surrounded by cheering fans within moments of scoring the winning goal"

    similar: circling, compassing, embracing, encircling, enclosing, encompassing, environing, girding, girdling, ringing, wreathing
    related: circumscribing, closing in, cordoning (off), fencing (in), hemming (in), walling, besetting, besieging, entrenching, investing, swarming

Related Entry: Surround (verb)

Surround is a different word from Surrounding. The synonyms below are for surround, not for surrounding.

  1. to form a circle around

    "she was surrounded by cheering fans within moments of scoring the winning goal"

    similar: circle, compass, embrace, encircle, enclose, encompass, environ, gird, girdle, ring, wreathe
    related: circumscribe, close in, cordon (off), fence (in), hem (in), wall, beset, besiege, entrench, invest, swarm

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Surrounding

The most common words with a similar meaning to Surrounding:

bounding, circumjacent, embracing, encircling, enclosing, fencing, rimming, attached, communicating, connected, connecting, interconnecting, joined, linked, united, marginal, peripheral, tangent, tangential, approximate, close, closest, immediate, near, nearby, nearest, next-door, nigh, ambient, encompassing, abutting, adjacent, adjoining, bordering, conterminous, contiguous, flanking, flush, fringing, joining

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Surrounding

Words with the opposite meaning of Surrounding:

nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart, detached, disconnected, discrete, free-standing, isolate, isolated, removed, separate, single, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, away, distant, far, faraway, far-off, farthest, remote, discontinuous, noncontinuous, broken up, disjoined, dissevered, dissociated, disunited, divided

Related Words for Surrounding

circumscribing, closing in, cordoning (off), fencing (in), hemming (in), walling, besetting, besieging, entrenching, investing, swarming

Word Forms of Surrounding

Inflections: surrounded, surrounds

Origin & Etymology of Surrounding

Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by round:5 water

First known use: circa 1616

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Surrounding

Frequently Asked Questions about Surrounding

What does "Surrounding" mean?

"Surrounding" means to enclose on all sides, envelop. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to enclose on all sides, envelop. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Surrounding"?

Other words for "Surrounding" include bounding, circumjacent, embracing, encircling, enclosing, fencing, rimming and attached. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Surrounding" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Surrounding"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Surrounding". Common alternatives include bounding, circumjacent, embracing, encircling, enclosing, fencing, rimming, attached, communicating and connected.

What is the opposite of "Surrounding"?

Antonyms of "Surrounding" include nonadjacent, noncontiguous, apart, detached, disconnected, discrete, free-standing and isolate.

How do you use "Surrounding" in a sentence?

Examples of "Surrounding" in a sentence: "she was surrounded by cheering fans within moments of scoring the winning goal".

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

"Surrounding" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

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

As a B2-level word, "Surrounding" 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 "Surrounding"?

"Surrounding" is pronounced /sə-ˈrau̇nd/ and divided into syllables as sur·round.