The difference between envelop and envelope (grammar lesson)


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To envelop means 'to surround' or 'to enclose'. This is an envelope:

The verb 'envelop' (without an e on the end) means 'to surround' or 'to enclose'. It is sometimes confused with the noun 'envelope', which most commonly refers to 'a flat rectangular paper container for a letter'.

Envelop

The verb 'envelop' can mean 'to surround', 'to enclose', 'to cover up', 'to conceal' or - in military circles - 'to conduct a flanking manoeuvre'. The verb used to be spelt with an e on the end, and this likely contributes to people confusing it with 'envelope'. In the past tense, the e reappears (e.g., The German division enveloped the town.)

Examples:

"the bridge was enveloped by fog"

Every year, an eerie mist envelops the hotel on the anniversary of his gruesome murder.

Envelope

An 'envelope' denotes a flat package (usually made of paper) that is designed to hold papers (e.g., letters, cards). 'Envelope' is also used to describe the limits of a system's operating capability (e.g., An altitude of 10,000 feet is the top of the aircraft's envelope.)

Examples: