engulf

UK: /ɪnˈgʌlf/ US: /ɛnˈgʌlf/ ,(en gulf′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•gulf /ɛnˈgʌlf/   v. [~ + object]

1. to swallow up;
   cover up:
   The stormy sea engulfed the ship.
2. to overwhelm or envelop completely:
   The orchestra engulfed him in glorious sound.

en•gulf•ment, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

en•gulf  (en gulf′), v.t. 

1. to swallow up in or as in a gulf;
   submerge:
   The overflowing river has engulfed many small towns along its banks.
2. to plunge or immerse, as into a gulf:
   He engulfed himself in his studies.

Also, ingulf. 

• en-¹ + gulf 1545–55

en•gulf′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. . envelop, bury, inundate, deluge, swamp.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

engulf, ingulf / ɪnˈɡʌlf/ verb (transitive)

1. to immerse, plunge, bury, or swallow up
2. (often passive) to overwhelm: engulfed by debts

enˈgulfment noun