encounter

Everyday

1. To encounter means to meet someone or something, often by chance or unexpectedly: "we encountered a bear". tree →
2. To encounter a problem or difficulty means to face it: "we encountered heavy traffic". tree →
3. (noun) An encounter is a meeting, especially an unexpected, strange or dangerous one. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, heroes encounter monsters, strangers and problems, and these encounters drive the plot. In science, a close encounter with an animal is a sighting up close. In formal and exam language "encounter" replaces "meet" or "come across". Phrases: encounter difficulties, a chance encounter, a close encounter, encounter with.

Examples

• On our walk we encountered a fox. tree →
• The explorers encountered many dangers. tree →
• If you encounter any problems, ask the teacher. tree →
• It was a chance encounter at the shops. tree →
• Our first encounter with snow was magical. tree →
• In the jungle they had a close encounter with a snake. tree →
• We encountered heavy rain on the way home. tree →
• In comfortable rooms they encounter hospitality and friendly faces. tree →

Note

Past form: encountered. "An encounter". It is more formal than "meet" or "come across". Usually something unplanned.

In Jewish tradition

In stories, heroes encounter monsters, strangers and problems, and these encounters drive the plot. In science, a close encounter with an animal is a sighting up close. In formal and exam language "encounter" replaces "meet" or "come across". Phrases: encounter difficulties, a chance encounter, a close encounter, encounter with.

Examples

• And on yet another level, it refers to the physical body, the primary metaphorical sense in which the term is encountered in the SY. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Past form: encountered. "An encounter". It is more formal than "meet" or "come across". Usually something unplanned.