encounter

"Encounter" is a versatile word with a few closely related but distinct meanings. It works as both a verb and a noun, and it carries a sense of something happening unexpectedly or by chance — a meeting, a situation, or an experience you didn't necessarily plan for.

1verbmeet unexpectedly

When you encounter someone, you meet them without planning to. It's not a scheduled meeting — it's more like bumping into someone or coming across them by chance.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

I encountered my old teacher at the supermarket yesterday.

She encountered a stranger on the hiking trail who helped her find the way.

He never expected to encounter his childhood friend in a foreign country.

2verbcome across a problem or difficulty

You can also encounter something that isn't a person — like a problem, obstacle, or challenge. Think of it as running into something that gets in your way or requires your attention.

everyday language, business, science · Modern, widely used

The engineers encountered several technical problems during the project.

We encountered heavy traffic on the way to the airport.

Students often encounter new vocabulary when reading advanced texts.

3nounan unexpected meeting

As a noun, an encounter is the meeting itself — usually brief, unplanned, and sometimes memorable. It can be with a person, an animal, or even a situation.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

My encounter with the famous author at the café was completely unexpected.

The documentary showed a close encounter between a diver and a whale shark.

That brief encounter with kindness stayed with her for years.

4nouna difficult or hostile confrontation

An encounter can also describe a tense or challenging face-to-face situation — not just a friendly meeting. In military or dramatic contexts, it often means a clash or conflict.

military, formal, literary · Modern, also common in older texts

The soldiers prepared for a possible encounter with enemy forces.

His encounter with the aggressive dog left him shaken.

The two rival groups had a brief but tense encounter in the street.