Definitions
- Describing a situation where something is completely surrounded or covered by something else. - Referring to a natural disaster, such as a flood or fire, where the affected area is completely overwhelmed. - Talking about an emotional state where one feels completely consumed or overwhelmed by a feeling or experience.
- Referring to eating food quickly and with great enthusiasm. - Describing a situation where someone is reading or watching something with great intensity and focus. - Talking about a situation where something is destroyed or consumed completely.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a situation where something is completely consumed or overwhelmed.
- 2Both words can be used to describe natural disasters or destructive forces.
- 3Both words can be used metaphorically to describe emotional states or experiences.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Devour implies a more intense and enthusiastic consumption than engulfing.
- 2Focus: Devour often implies a singular focus on the thing being consumed, while engulfing can refer to a more general surrounding or covering.
- 3Action: Devour implies an active consumption, while engulfing can refer to a passive or uncontrollable covering or surrounding.
- 4Connotation: Devour has a more positive connotation, while engulfing can have a negative connotation due to its association with disasters or overwhelming emotions.
- 5Scope: Engulfing can refer to a larger area or space being covered or surrounded, while devour is more commonly used for smaller objects or quantities.
Remember this!
Engulfing and devour both describe a situation where something is completely consumed or overwhelmed. However, the difference between the two is their intensity, focus, and action. Devour implies a more enthusiastic and active consumption of something, while engulfing can refer to a more passive or uncontrollable covering or surrounding. Additionally, devour has a more positive connotation, while engulfing can have a negative connotation due to its association with disasters or overwhelming emotions.