environ

verb

en·​vi·​ron in-ˈvī-rən  -ˈvī(-ə)rn 

environed; environing; environs

transitive verb

: encircle, surround

Synonyms

• circle
• compass
• embrace
• encircle
• enclose
• inclose
• encompass
• gird
• girdle
• ring
• surround
• wreathe

Examples of environ in a Sentence

a decaying, impoverished city environed by affluent suburbs

Word History

Etymology

Middle English envirounen, from Anglo-French enviruner, from envirun around, from en in (from Latin in) + virun circle, from virer to turn — more at veer entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

environ

verb

en·​vi·​ron in-ˈvī-rən  -ˈvī(-ə)rn 

: encircle sense 1, surround