encounter

[ en-koun-ter ]

verb (used with object)

1. to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly:

   to encounter a new situation.

2. to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.):

   We encounter so many problems in our work.

3. to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict:

   We will encounter the enemy at dawn.

verb (used without object)

1. to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict:

   We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.

noun

1. a meeting with a person or thing, especially a casual, unexpected, or brief meeting:

   Our running into each other was merely a chance encounter.

2. a meeting of persons or groups that are in conflict or opposition; combat; battle:

   Another such encounter and we may lose the war.

3. Psychology. a meeting of two or more people, as the members of an encounter group or a number of married couples marriage encounter, conducted to promote direct emotional confrontations among the participants, especially as a form of therapy encountertherapy.

encounter

/ ɪnˈkaʊntə /

verb

1. to come upon or meet casually or unexpectedly
2. to come into conflict with (an enemy, army, etc) in battle or contest
3. tr to be faced with; contend with

   he encounters many obstacles in his work

noun

1. a meeting with a person or thing, esp when casual or unexpected
2. a hostile meeting; contest or conflict

Derived Forms

• enˈcounterer, noun

Other Words From

• en·counter·er noun
• preen·counter noun verb (used with object)
• reen·counter verb noun
• unen·countered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encounter¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French enco(u)ntrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unrecorded), equivalent to in- in- ¹ + -contrāre, verb suffix derived from contrā “against”; counter ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of encounter¹

C13: from Old French encontrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unattested), from Latin in- ² + contrā against, opposite

Example Sentences

The report reveals two starkly different narratives about what unfolded during a sexual encounter in his hotel room while the two were attending a Republican women’s conference in the city in October 2017.

From Los Angeles Times

Tony Blair has described John Prescott as one of the "most talented" and "unusual" people he encountered in politics after his former deputy prime minister died aged 86.

From BBC

As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.

From Salon

The IDF said in a statement on Monday that its forces had killed "dozens of terrorists in close-quarters encounters and through targeted strikes" in the Beit Lahia area over the past week.

From BBC

Cue a flashback — now one film long at least — to their days at Shiz University, where the pair first encountered each other.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• action
• battle
• bout
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• contest
• dispute
• quarrel
• run-in
• skirmish
• violence