encounter Definition
- 1to meet someone unexpectedly
- 2a meeting, especially one that happens by chance
- 3to experience something, especially something unpleasant
Using encounter: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "encounter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I encountered an old friend on the street.
Example
We encountered a lot of traffic on the way to the airport.
Example
She encountered many difficulties while trying to learn a new language.
Example
The hikers encountered a bear in the woods.
encounter Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with encounter
Example
Their chance encounter at the coffee shop led to a lifelong friendship.
a group therapy session in which participants openly express their emotions and feelings
Example
She signed up for an encounter group to help her deal with her anxiety.
a situation in which someone has a direct and potentially dangerous encounter with something, such as a UFO or wild animal
Example
He claimed to have had a close encounter with a UFO while camping in the woods.
Origins of encounter
from Old French 'encontre', from Latin 'incontra', meaning 'against'
Summary: encounter in Brief
The verb 'encounter' [ɪnˈkaʊntə] refers to meeting someone or experiencing something unexpectedly. It can be used to describe both positive and negative experiences, such as 'I encountered an old friend on the street' or 'She encountered many difficulties while trying to learn a new language.' 'Encounter' is often used in phrases like 'chance encounter,' 'encounter group,' and 'close encounter.'
