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)

Examples of enclose in a Sentence

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

The gutters and vents are enclosed in a thin, wire mesh. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025

Though not fully enclosed (which saved on cost), it’s sheltered by a wall of ipe wood on one side and a stand of low trees and plants on the other. —Rory Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2025

One fan who sent Wickers a card enclosed a copy of a photo of him posing with Wickers when the fan was a little boy. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

This hanging egg chair is primed for catching the breeze with its woven, nest-like shell, but also encloses you like a hug with its soft seating. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 11 Apr. 2025

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)

Rhymes for enclose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

enclose

verb

en·​close

variants also inclose

in-ˈklōz

1

a

: to close in : surround

enclose a porch with glass

b

: to hold in : confine

enclose animals in a pen

2

: to place in a parcel or envelope

enclose a card with the present