Encompass vs. Incompass — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 6, 2023
Encompass means to include or surround, while Incompass is an archaic word seldom used in modern English, and is often mistaken for "encompass."
Difference Between Encompass and Incompass
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Encompass and Incompass are words that, while sounding similar, have different origins and usages. Encompass is commonly used in contemporary English and denotes the act of including, surrounding, or encircling something. When we say a topic "encompasses" various subtopics, we imply it includes them. In contrast, Incompass is archaic and is rarely, if ever, found in modern writings. Its usage was historically limited and can be confused with "encompass."
The ubiquity of "encompass" is seen in various contexts, from geography to subject matter. For example, a city might encompass several districts, or a study might encompass a range of issues. Incompass, however, lacks this versatility. It's important to ensure one is using the right term, especially in formal writings.
Furthermore, while "encompass" can be found in most dictionaries given its widespread usage, "incompass" is often absent or marked as obsolete. This highlights the difference in their relevancy in today's language.
In literature, especially older texts, one might come across "incompass," but its presence is rare. On the other hand, "encompass" has a robust presence across genres, from scientific papers to fiction, underlining its acceptance and utility.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To include or surround
An archaic term seldom used today
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Usage
Common in modern English
Rare and outdated
Contexts
Can be used in various contexts
Historically limited
Dictionary Presence
Found in most dictionaries
Often absent or marked as obsolete
Literature Presence
Robust presence across genres
Rare, mostly in older texts
Compare with Definitions
Encompass
To surround entirely.
The wall encompasses the entire estate.
Incompass
Archaic form of encompass
Encompass
To include comprehensively.
The course encompasses all aspects of biology.
Incompass
See Encompass.
Encompass
To enclose; envelop.
The park is encompassed by a dense forest.
Incompass
An old variant of encompass.
The moat incompasses the castle.
Encompass
To form a circle or ring around.
The necklace encompassed her neck gracefully.
Encompass
To bring about or achieve.
The plan encompasses various strategies for success.
Encompass
Encompass, the Enterprise Computing Association, was the original computer user group for business customers of Hewlett-Packard. Encompass's history began with DECUS, founded in 1961, for customers of the Digital Equipment Corporation, which was acquired in 1998 by Compaq.
Encompass
To form a circle or ring around; encircle.
Encompass
To enclose; envelop
"The blackness of the eternal night encompassed me" (Edgar Allan Poe).
Encompass
To have as part of something larger; include
A galaxy encompassing billions of stars.
Encompass
(transitive) To form a circle around; to encircle.
Encompass
(transitive) To include within its scope; to circumscribe or go round so as to surround; to enclose; to contain.
Encompass
(transitive) To include completely; to describe fully or comprehensively.
This book on English grammar encompasses all irregular verbs.
Encompass
(transitive) To go around, especially, to circumnavigate.
Drake encompassed the globe.
Encompass
To circumscribe or go round so as to surround closely; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, a ring encompasses the finger; an army encompasses a city; a voyage encompassing the world.
A question may be encompassed with difficulty.
The love of all thy sons encompass thee.
Encompass
Include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory;
This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds
This should cover everyone in the group
Common Curiosities
Does "encompass" only relate to physical surroundings?
No, "encompass" can refer to both physical surroundings and abstract inclusions, like topics or ideas.
Are there synonyms for "encompass"?
Yes, some synonyms include "include," "contain," "cover," and "embrace."
I found "incompass" in an old text. Is it a typo?
Not necessarily. "Incompass" is an archaic term, but it's rarely used today. It's often confused with "encompass."
Can "incompass" be used in place of "encompass" in modern writings?
It's advisable to use "encompass" in modern writings to avoid confusion, as "incompass" is outdated.
Why isn't "incompass" found in many dictionaries?
"Incompass" is an archaic term that has fallen out of usage, so many modern dictionaries might not list it.
Is "encompass" a verb or noun?
"Encompass" is a verb.
Is "encompass" commonly used in English today?
Yes, "encompass" is frequently used to indicate surrounding or including something.
Can a topic "encompass" various themes?
Yes, when a topic "encompasses" themes, it means it includes or covers them comprehensively.
If "incompass" is rarely used, should I avoid it in writing?
Yes, using "encompass" is recommended to ensure clarity and avoid confusion in contemporary writings.
In which contexts might one use "encompass"?
"Encompass" can be used in various contexts, from describing physical boundaries to thematic inclusions in discussions.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
