engross
verb
en·gross in-ˈgrōs 
en-
engrossed; engrossing; engrosses
transitive verb
1
a
: to copy or write in a large hand
b
: to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (an official document)
2
[Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser, from en gros wholesale, in quantity]
a
: to purchase large quantities of (as for speculation)
b
archaic : amass, collect
c
: to take or engage the whole attention of : occupy completely
ideas that have engrossed the minds of scholars for generations
engrosser noun
Synonyms
- absorb
- bemuse
- busy
- catch up
- engage
- enthrall
- enthral
- enwrap
- fascinate
- grip
- immerse
- interest
- intrigue
- involve
- occupy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a mystery story that will engross readers all the way to the surprise ending
Recent Examples on the Web Like the characters populating his novels, who are terrified of their own irrelevance, Franzen has a habit of proffering bells and whistles as compensation for the modest scope of the domestic sagas that engross him. 
Becca Rothfeld, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2021 Readers will engross themselves in two beefy chapters on Hatfield’s eight years as governor, but for the nearly 30 years that Hatfield spent in the U.S. Senate, Etulain serves up a scant 28 pages, inclusive of several full-page photographs. oregonlive, 26 Aug. 2021 Buyers can dig deeper into the country of origin and engross themselves in modern experiences from contemporary creatives without saying a word. Nafeesah Allen, House Beautiful, 13 May 2021 Amid a social justice movement and COVID-19 pandemic that engross the nation, the term gains gravitas. Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Mar. 2021 His mother sang and played piano and was a big supporter, and Benet would engross himself in his detective father's extensive classical music collection. Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2021 The Senate voted to engross the bills ahead of debate Tuesday, which blocked changes to the measures. Nyamekye Daniel, Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2021 Two days is enough time to engross yourself in a curriculum, build a solid foundation, sleep on it and continue to build on that foundation the next day. Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2020 The intricate synergies of coffee and capitalism form the subtext of the historian Augustine Sedgewick’s thoroughly engrossing first book, Coffeeland: One Man’s Dark Empire and the Making of Our Favorite Drug. Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2020 See More
Becca Rothfeld, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2021 Readers will engross themselves in two beefy chapters on Hatfield’s eight years as governor, but for the nearly 30 years that Hatfield spent in the U.S. Senate, Etulain serves up a scant 28 pages, inclusive of several full-page photographs. oregonlive, 26 Aug. 2021 Buyers can dig deeper into the country of origin and engross themselves in modern experiences from contemporary creatives without saying a word. Nafeesah Allen, House Beautiful, 13 May 2021 Amid a social justice movement and COVID-19 pandemic that engross the nation, the term gains gravitas. Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 11 Mar. 2021 His mother sang and played piano and was a big supporter, and Benet would engross himself in his detective father's extensive classical music collection. Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2021 The Senate voted to engross the bills ahead of debate Tuesday, which blocked changes to the measures. Nyamekye Daniel, Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2021 Two days is enough time to engross yourself in a curriculum, build a solid foundation, sleep on it and continue to build on that foundation the next day. Chris Mudgett, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2020 The intricate synergies of coffee and capitalism form the subtext of the historian Augustine Sedgewick’s thoroughly engrossing first book, Coffeeland: One Man’s Dark Empire and the Making of Our Favorite Drug. Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French engrosser to put (a legal document) in final form, from Medieval Latin ingrossare, from in grossam (put) into final form, literally, (written) in large (letter)
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
engross
verb
en·gross in-ˈgrōs
engrossed; engrossing
: to take the attention of completely
He was engrossed in a book.
Legal Definition
engross
transitive verb
en·gross in-ˈgrōs
: to prepare the usually final handwritten or printed text of (as a bill or resolution) especially for final passage or approval
the amendment was ordered to be engrossed Congressional Record
see also engrossed bill at bill sense 1 compare enroll Congressional RecordNote: A bill or resolution is engrossed in the Congress and some state legislatures before its third reading and final passage by one of the legislative houses.
engrossers
noun
as in sellers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sellers
- retailers
- wholesalers
- vendors
- suppliers
- monopolists
- buyers
- providers
- distributors
- shopkeepers
- storekeepers
- middlemen
- venders
- purchasers
- marketers
- entrepreneurs
- peddlers
- purveyors
- hucksters
- provisioners
- merchants
- jobbers
- traders
- hawkers
- hustlers
- dealers
- pedlars
- businessmen
- traffickers
- enterprisers
- tradesmen
- merchandisers