environ

¹

[en-vahy-ruhn, -vahy-ern]

verb (used with object)

1. to form a circle or ring round; surround; envelop.

   a house environed by pleasant grounds; to be environed by bad influences.

environ.

²

abbreviation

1. environment.

2. environmental.

3. environmentalism.

4. environmentalist.

environ

/ ɪnˈvaɪrən /

verb

1. (tr) to encircle or surround

Other Word Forms

• unenvironed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of environ¹

1300–50; Middle English envirounen < Old French environner, derivative of environ around ( en en- ¹ + viron a circle; vir ( er ) to turn, veer ¹ + -on noun suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of environ¹

C14: from Old French environner to surround, from environ around, from _en- ¹ + viron a circle, from virer to turn, _veer ¹

Example Sentences

“Don’t be caught here after dark,” said the jittery cop, who brandished an assault rifle as he scanned the environs.

From Los Angeles Times

Wealthier often means having a nicer apartment, but an apartment all the same, existing in the same environs as those in a different price range.

From Los Angeles Times

The American remake of “The Office” transformed the blank environs of an office supplies wholesaler into an adorable terrarium.

From Salon

Hundreds of Christians, but also some Muslims, uprooted by Israeli bombardment, now reside on church grounds or in the surrounding environs.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, the Israeli military dropped fliers above Koawaya, telling villagers they were forbidden from having arms when they moved around in the village and its environs.

From Los Angeles Times