What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wreathe
Example
The florist wove together a beautiful wreath of roses and daisies. [wreathe: verb]
Example
The statue was wreathed in flowers as a sign of respect. [wreathed: past participle]
Example
Smoke wreathe around the campfire as we roasted marshmallows. [wreathe: verb]
encircle
Example
The castle was encircled by a moat filled with water. [encircled: past tense]
Example
The teacher asked the students to encircle the correct answer on their test papers. [encircle: verb]
Example
The dancers encircled the bride and groom during their first dance. [encircled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Encircle is more commonly used than wreathe in everyday language. Encircle is a more neutral term that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while wreathe is less common and has a more poetic or artistic connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between wreathe and encircle?
Both wreathe and encircle are formal words that can be used in academic or professional contexts. However, wreathe may be considered more formal due to its artistic or decorative associations.
