Home Dictionary Eencounter

Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.

encounter

Ngoại động từNội động từ[C/U] Cả hai

Số nhiều: encountersQuá khứ: encounteredPhân từ 2: encounteredV-ing: encountering

This word carries a strong sense of suddenness and lack of preparation. While meet is neutral, encounter often suggests a clash or a surprising discovery. It is frequently used in professional or academic contexts to describe facing problems, such as encountering a bug in code or encountering resistance from a board of directors. In social contexts, it implies a fleeting or accidental interaction rather than a planned date or appointment. There is often a subtle tension associated with the word, evoking the feeling of a sudden confrontation or a serendipitous discovery that disrupts the current flow of events.

Countable when referring to a specific meeting between two people. Uncountable when referring to the general act of facing a challenge or a type of experience.

Ý nghĩa

Ngoại động từ

[someone][something]

To meet someone unexpectedly or face a difficult situation.

"We encountered several obstacles during the project."

Nội động từ

To come across someone or something by chance.

"The two armies encountered in the valley."

Danh từ

An unexpected meeting or a brief experience.

"The brief encounter changed his life."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026•Report an Error