WordGarden.ioencounter
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛnkˈaʊntə/
US
- /ɪnˈkaʊnər/
Meanings
Verb
to meet someone unexpectedly
to come across or experience something
Noun
an unexpected meeting or interaction
a hostile clash or confrontation
Beyond the definition
To encounter something is often to meet it, face it, or experience it directly, sometimes without expecting it. You might encounter a friend on the street, encounter problems while learning a new skill, or encounter a beautiful view during a trip. The word can be used for pleasant things, difficult things, or simple events in daily life. It often suggests a real moment of contact rather than just noticing something from far away.
Sometimes "encounter" also means facing something difficult. You might encounter resistance to your ideas or encounter unfair treatment in the world. The word can describe a chance meeting, but it is also used for problems, new ideas, and situations that suddenly become real to you.
The word "encounter" describes meeting, facing, or experiencing someone, something, or some situation directly. Very often, it refers to something that appears unexpectedly, as in "While hiking in the forest, we encountered a bear." In that sentence, the bear was not part of the plan; it was something the hikers suddenly had to face.
"Encounter" is not limited to meeting people. You can encounter problems while working on a project, encounter new ideas while reading, or encounter kindness in an unfamiliar place. In each case, the word suggests direct contact or experience, not just a distant awareness.
The word is common when talking about chance meetings, but it is also widely used for difficulties, discoveries, and important moments. You may encounter support, danger, beauty, resistance, or evidence. Sometimes the meaning is neutral, and sometimes it carries a stronger feeling of conflict or challenge, especially in formal writing or in stories about travel, science, history, or war.
Historically, "encounter" comes from Old French and carries the idea of meeting or facing. That older sense still shapes the word today. Whether it refers to a brief meeting with a person, a sudden problem, or a striking new experience, an "encounter" usually feels more direct and memorable than simply seeing or noticing something.
Examples
- 1
Wildlife
We encountered a bear on the trail and slowly backed away.
- 2
Discovering work
I first encountered her work when a teacher gave us one of her essays.
- 3
Commuting delays
Commuters often encounter long delays on this line in winter.
- Patternencounter delays/problems/difficulty
experience them
- 4
Workplace change
New managers sometimes encounter resistance when they try to change old routines.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Social work
As a social worker, he encounters families in very different situations every day.
- 6
Music discovery
My first encounter with jazz was at my grandfather's house.
- Patternan encounter with
an experience of meeting or discovering something
- 7
Business connection
A chance encounter at a cafe led to a business partnership.
- Phrasechance encounter
an unexpected meeting
See also
Similar
- meet
- come across
- run into
Shades of meaning
- confront
- experience
- stumble upon
Contrast
- avoid
- seek out
Used with (collocations)
- encounter a problem
- encounter difficulties
- encounter resistance
- encounter someone
Word family
Explore
- chance meeting
- obstacle
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- encounternounverb
Forms
- encounteredpast tenseverbnoun
- encounterspluralnounverb
- encountering-ing formverbnoun