enfold

verb

en·​fold in-ˈfōld 

en-

enfolded; enfolding; enfolds

transitive verb

1

a

: to cover with or as if with folds : envelop

b

: to surround with a covering : contain

2

: to clasp within the arms : embrace

Synonyms

• bosom
• bower
• circumfuse
• cocoon
• embosom
• embower
• embrace
• enclose
• inclose
• encompass
• enshroud
• enswathe
• envelop
• enwrap
• invest
• involve
• lap
• mantle
• muffle
• shroud
• swathe
• veil
• wrap

Examples of enfold in a Sentence

The dish is made of vegetables enfolded in a pastry crust.

We watched as darkness enfolded the city.

Recent Examples on the Web

The way Colman enfolded himself into the family, into the group, that’s a bond that’s gonna last forever with each one of us. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024

The Longfellow Hotel, by contrast, enfolds visitors in comfort while gently nudging them to see the city. —Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2024

Briefly, one had dim visions of young pro-Palestine activists pouring onto the stage of the Fiserv Forum and laying down their banners, the better to be enfolded within the embrace of a contritely sobbing Ted Cruz. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024

But since the shooting in Butler, Pa., tech leaders have enfolded Trump in a very public embrace. —Nitasha Tiku, Washington Post, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

enfold

verb

en·​fold in-ˈfōld 

1

: to cover with folds : enclose in the folds of something

2

: embrace entry 1 sense 1, hug