verb / noun
encounter
in-KOWN-tur/ɪnˈkaʊntər/
Coming across someone or something unexpectedly.
The walker encounters a deer around a bend in the trail.
Etymology
The elements formed an expression meaning “in front of” or “against.” Encounter first meant meeting as an adversary, then softened to meeting someone or coming across something casually or unexpectedly.
In context
He's at a party where a fortune teller warns him that he's going to encounter a demon on his next adventure.
More examples
- Their chance encounter led to a friendship.
- The team encountered several delays.
- I had never encountered that expression before.
Forms
encounter · encounters · encountered · encountering
Similar words
- meet
- Come into contact, sometimes by arrangement.
- run into
- The informal equivalent for an unexpected meeting.