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 encounter was part of what Jurado described as her “listening tour,” which she credits for her victory and which she plans to continue after her swearing-in.

From Los Angeles Times

After he was elected in 2016, Trump met with then-President Obama in the Oval Office for 90 minutes, an encounter that Obama’s advisors described at the time as less awkward than expected.

From Los Angeles Times

Back-to-back world champions South Africa now head to Twickenham on Saturday for their first meeting since that World Cup encounter.

From BBC

One woman, who the BBC is naming only as "Kay", explained how she had arranged to meet a man for the first time after connecting on a dating app, but the encounter turned into a nightmare.

From BBC

Foster said his specialists have practiced with wet balls in preparation for the conditions they might encounter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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