First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1encounter
verb en·coun·ter \in-ˈkau̇n-tər, en-\
: to have or experience (problems, difficulties, etc.)
: to meet (someone) without expecting or intending to
en·coun·tereden·coun·ter·ing \-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of ENCOUNTER
transitive verb
1
a : to meet as an adversary or enemy b : to engage in conflict with
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly <encounter difficulties>
intransitive verb
: to meet especially by chance
See encounter defined for English-language learners
See encounter defined for kids
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Origin of ENCOUNTER
Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against — more at counter
Related to ENCOUNTER
- Synonyms
- catch, chance (upon), meet, happen (upon), stumble (upon)
Rhymes with ENCOUNTER
2encounter
noun
: a meeting that is not planned or expected
: a usually brief experience with another person
: a violent or very unfriendly meeting
Full Definition of ENCOUNTER
1
: a meeting between hostile factions or persons : a sudden often violent clash <an encounter between the police and demonstrators>
2
a : a chance meeting <an accidental encounter> b : a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person <a romantic encounter>
3
: a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body <the Martian encounter of a spacecraft>
See encounter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ENCOUNTER
14th century
Rhymes with ENCOUNTER
ENCOUNTER Defined for Kids
1encounter
verb en·coun·ter \in-ˈkau̇n-tər\
en·coun·tereden·coun·ter·ing
Definition of ENCOUNTER for Kids
1
: to meet face-to-face or by chance <I encountered an old friend.>
2
: to experience or face often unexpectedly <Have you encountered any difficulty?>
2encounter
noun
Definition of ENCOUNTER for Kids
1
: a meeting face-to-face and often by chance
2
: an often unexpected experience <It was his first encounter with fame.>
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