enclose
verb
en·close in-ˈklōz 
en-
variants or less commonly inclose
in-ˈklōz
enclosed also inclosed; enclosing also inclosing; encloses also incloses
transitive verb
1
a(1)
: to close in : surround
enclose a porch with glass
(2)
: to fence off (common land) for individual use
b
: to hold in : confine
2
: to include along with something else in a parcel or envelope
a check is enclosed herewith
Synonyms
- box (in)
- cage
- closet
- coop (up)
- corral
- encage
- encase
- envelop
- fence (in)
- hedge
- hem (in)
- house
- immure
- include
- mew (up)
- pen
- wall (in)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The pie's flaky crust encloses a fruit filling. Enclose the fish in foil and bake. She enclosed a photo with the card. Please enclose a check with your application. Enclosed with this letter are the tickets you ordered.
Recent Examples on the Web Simply enclose small slices of guava paste and cream cheese within squares of puff pastry dough, fold them into triangles, and bake till golden brown. 
Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 21 July 2022 Oversized earpads made from superbly soft lambskin are specially shaped to enclose the listener’s ears and hug the contours of the head thanks to both lateral and vertical adjustments. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 17 June 2022 The person said the new polycarbonate structure would enclose the existing storefront, sitting about 30 inches outside of the glass facade. oregonlive, 3 May 2022 Shortages of some aluminum parts used to enclose the battery packs created particular bottlenecks, the people said, because those packs must be installed early in the assembly process. Sean Mclain, WSJ, 4 June 2022 Created with portability in mind, the travel-friendly mosquito repellent bracelet mimics the shape of a hair elastic, easily slipping onto your wrist (or ankle) to enclose you in an invisible protective barrier against insects. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2022 The OTR StillHouse’s outdoor space comfortably accommodates hundreds of guests, and the buildings that enclose the courtyard provide a pleasant amount of shade for guests to enjoy. Matt Koesters, The Enquirer, 28 Apr. 2022 For instance, designer David Zinn has built the show a lovely Buckingham Palace, repeating the gilt folderol of the Longacre Theatre’s proscenium on the columns and gates that enclose the stage. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2021 During the musical’s finale, Walter sits alone in front of bars that enclose the immigrant couple. Ayanna Prescod, Variety, 4 Nov. 2021 See More
Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 21 July 2022 Oversized earpads made from superbly soft lambskin are specially shaped to enclose the listener’s ears and hug the contours of the head thanks to both lateral and vertical adjustments. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 17 June 2022 The person said the new polycarbonate structure would enclose the existing storefront, sitting about 30 inches outside of the glass facade. oregonlive, 3 May 2022 Shortages of some aluminum parts used to enclose the battery packs created particular bottlenecks, the people said, because those packs must be installed early in the assembly process. Sean Mclain, WSJ, 4 June 2022 Created with portability in mind, the travel-friendly mosquito repellent bracelet mimics the shape of a hair elastic, easily slipping onto your wrist (or ankle) to enclose you in an invisible protective barrier against insects. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2022 The OTR StillHouse’s outdoor space comfortably accommodates hundreds of guests, and the buildings that enclose the courtyard provide a pleasant amount of shade for guests to enjoy. Matt Koesters, The Enquirer, 28 Apr. 2022 For instance, designer David Zinn has built the show a lovely Buckingham Palace, repeating the gilt folderol of the Longacre Theatre’s proscenium on the columns and gates that enclose the stage. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2021 During the musical’s finale, Walter sits alone in front of bars that enclose the immigrant couple. Ayanna Prescod, Variety, 4 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, probably from enclos enclosed, from Anglo-French, past participle of enclore to enclose, from Vulgar Latin *inclaudere, alteration of Latin includere — more at include
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Kids Definition
enclose
verb
en·close in-ˈklōz
enclosed; enclosing
1
: to close in : surround
The porch is enclosed with glass.
2
: to hold in : confine
He enclosed the animals in a pen.
3
: to put in the same package or envelope with something else
enclose
verb
variants also inclose
1
as in to encase
to close or shut in by or as if by barriers dogs who spend the day enclosed in small cages Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- encase
- house
- cage
- confine
- surround
- envelop
- include
- pen
- encage
- hedge
- immure
- closet
- bound
- restrict
- corral
- encircle
- circumscribe
- contain
- fence (in)
- limit
- wall (in)
- encapsulate
- box (in)
- hem (in)
- coop (up)
- enfold
- ring
- encompass
- mew (up)
- cocoon
- enlace
- enframe
- encyst
- frame
- armor
- encapsule
- ensheathe
- ensphere
- enwomb
2
as in to surround
to form a circle around in a show of support, the women rushed to enclose their distraught friend Synonyms & Similar Words
- surround
- encircle
- encompass
- embrace
- circle
- ring
- environ
- gird
- wreathe
- circumscribe
- wall
- girdle
- compass
- close in
- entrench
- besiege
- beset
- fence (in)
- intrench
- swarm
- cordon (off)
- hem (in)
- invest
3
as in to encompass
to surround or cover closely the house was enclosed by a high hedge that shielded it from public view Synonyms & Similar Words
- encompass
- encase
- wrap
- embrace
- envelop
- muffle
- encircle
- drape
- enfold
- bosom
- circle
- involve
- cocoon
- enshroud
- enwrap
- bower
- veil
- mantle
- shroud
- swathe
- lap
- embower
- embosom
- invest
- embed
- enswathe
- circumfuse
- disguise
- curtain
- imbed
- blanket
- mask
- swaddle
- overlay
- cloak
- camouflage
- overspread
- enlace
- enwind
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expose
- bare
- strip
- denude