# en-
## English
### Alternative forms

* em- (before certain consonants, principally b or p)
* el- (before certain consonants, principally l)

### Etymology

From Middle English en- (“en-, in-”). Originally from Old French en- (also an-), from Latin in- (“in, into”); but also from an alteration of in-, from Middle English in-, from Old English in- (“in, into”), from Proto-Germanic *in (“in”). Both the Latin and the Germanic forms are from Proto-Indo-European *en (“in, into”). Intensive use of Old French en-, an- is due to confluence with Frankish *an- (intensive prefix), related to Old English on- (intensive prefix). More at in-, on-.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ɛn-/, /ɪn-/, /ən-/

### Prefix

en-
* Forms a transitive verb whose meaning is to make the attached adjective
** in, into
    embathe, enquire, enlist
** on, onto
    embark, enplane, enthrone
** covered by
    enclothe, embalm, enseam
* to become
    enslave, embetter, engloom
* provide with
    empower
* an intensifier
    entangle, enwisen, enhamper

#### Usage notes

* Before the labial consonants b or p, the form em- is used instead, a result of assimilation of place of articulation.

#### Synonyms

* (in): in-, intra-, em-/im-, end-/endo-/ento-
* (on): on-, epi-, super-, supra-, sur-, hyper-

#### Antonyms

* (antonym(s) of “in”): out-, ex-, exo-, ecto-
* (antonym(s) of “on”): out-, ab-, apo-, de-, away, off

#### Derived terms

* embalm
* embark
* embarrass
* embase
* embellish
* embezzle
* emboss
* embrace
* embroider
* embroil
* empanel
* empark
* emplead (compare emplaidier)
* employ
* enamel (from enamailler)
* enamor, enamour
* enchain
* enchant
* enchase
* enclave
* enclose
* encounter
* encourage
* encrust
* encumber
* endoctrine
* endolour
* endorse
* endow (from endover)
* endue
* endure
* enforce
* engage
* engender
* englue
* englut
* engorge
* engrail
* engrain (from the - phrase en graine)
* engrave
* engross
* engulf
* enhance
* enjoin
* enjoy
* enlace
* enlarge
* enlimn (from enluminer)
* ennoble
* enquire, inquire
* enrace (compare enraciner)
* enrage
* enrange (compare arranger)
* enrich
* enrobe
* enroll
* ensanguine
* ensemble
* ensue
* ensure
* entice
* entitle
* entrain
* entrap
* entreat
* envelop, envelope
* envermeil (compare envermeiller)
* environ
* envisage
* embrasure
* emplacement
* endeavor, endeavour (from mettre en deveir (literally “put in duty”))
* enfilade
* engine, engineer
* enquiry, inquiry
* ensign
* ensilage
* entente
* entrail, entrails
* envoy
* envy
* embathe
* emblanch
* emboil
* embraid, embreaded
* embrangle
* empassion
* empierce
* empight
* emplace
* empuzzle
* enact
* encanker
* encheer
* enclasp
* enclothe
* encompass
* endazzle
* enfold
* enfreeze
* engild
* engird
* engrasp
* engrieve
* enkindle
* enlighten
* enmesh
* enmingle
* enmix
* ensear
* enseel
* ensheathe
* ensnarl
* enstamp
* enstrengthen
* enstyle
* ensweep
* entame
* entangle
* enthrill
* entwin
* entwist
* entwite
* enwallowed
* enwind
* enwrap
* enwreathe
* enwrite
* embank
* embarn
* embastardize
* embattle
* embay
* embeam
* embed
* embillow
* emblaze
* emblazon
* embliss, enbliss
* embloom
* emblossom
* embody
* embondage
* emborder
* embosom
* embottle
* embow
* embowel
* embowl
* embox
* embronze
* embrothel
* embus
* emmarble, enmarble
* empanoplied
* empeople
* emplane
* emplotment (neologism by Paul Ricœur)
* emplumed
* empower
* empurple
* enarch
* enarm
* enarmor, enarmour
* encage
* encamp
* encapsulate
* encapture
* encase
* encashment
* encasket
* enchaired
* enchannel
* encharm
* enchisel
* encindered
* encipher
* encircle
* enclasp
* encloister
* encloud
* encoach
* encode
* encoffin
* encolour
* encowl
* encradle
* encrimson
* encroach
* enculture
* encunt
* encurtain
* encyst
* endanger
* endart
* endenizen
* endiademed
* endome
* endungeon
* enface
* enfame
* enfeoff
* enfetter
* enfire
* enflesh
* enflower
* enforest
* enframe
* enfranchise
* enfreedom
* engaol
* engarland
* engirdle
* engirt
* englamour
* engloom
* engore
* engraft
* engrave
* engroove
* enguard
* engyve
* enhalo
* enharbour
* enhearse
* enhedge
* enhoney
* enhunger
* enisle
* enjail
* enkennel
* enlard
* enleague
* enlight
* enlink
* enlist (possibly from inlijsten (“to write on a list”))
* enliven
* enlute
* enmassed
* enmew
* enmire
* enmist
* enmossed
* enmuffle
* enniche
* enpatron
* enplane
* enprison
* enquote
* enrank
* enrapture
* enregister
* enrheum
* enridge
* enrockment
* enroot
* enscale
* enschedule
* ensconce
* enseam
* ensepulcher, ensepulchre
* enserf
* enshackle
* enshaded, enshadow
* enshell
* enshelter
* enshrine
* enshroud
* ensky
* enslave
* ensnare
* ensoul
* enspell
* ensphere
* enstool
* entabulate
* entail
* enthral, enthrall
* enthrone
* entoil
* entomb
* entrail
* entrain
* entrench
* entrust
* entwine
* envassal
* envault
* enveil
* envenom, envenomate
* envillaged
* envision
* envolume
* enwoman
* enwomb
* enwreath
* enzone
* embetter
* embitter
* emblind
* embolden
* embrave
* embrittle
* embusy
* empractical (neologism)
* enable
* encrisped
* encrypt (neologism from κρυπτός (kruptós, “concealed, hidden”) or κρύπτω (krúptō, “hide, cover”))
* endear
* enfeeble
* enfierced
* enfree
* englacial
* engolden
* engreen
* enmilden
* ennew
* enquicken
* enripen
* enround
* ensafe
* ensober
* entender
* enweaken
* emblem
* embolism
* embrocate (from embrocatus, from ἐμβροχή (embrokhḗ, “lotion, fomentation”))
* embryo
* empathy (a 20th century neologism)
* empiric (via empirique and empiricus from ἐμπειρικός (empeirikós, “experienced”))
* emporium
* encaustic (probably neologism after καυστικός (kaustikós, “burning”))
* encephalitis (from encéphalite?)
* enchondroma
* encomiast, encomium
* encyclical (from encyclicus)
* encyclopaedia, encyclopedia (from encyclopaedia)
* endemic (from endémique?)
* endive (from ἔντυβον (éntubon) or intibus, ultimately of uncertain origin)
* enema
* enepidermic
* energy (via énergie and energia from ἐνέργεια (enérgeia, “action, act, work”))
* entablature (from intavolatura)
* enthuse, enthusiasm, enthusiastic
* entomology (from entomologie)
* entrochite
* enzyme (from Enzym)
* panendeism, panentheism (from Panentheismus)

#### See also

* em-
* in-

#### References

* “en-”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
* “en-”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

### Anagrams

* nê, né, Ne., ne, -ne-, NE, ne., -ne

## Catalan
### Alternative forms

* em-

### Etymology

Inherited from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

### Prefix

en-
* en- (all meanings)

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

## French
### Alternative forms

* em-

### Etymology

Inherited from Old French en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ɑ̃/
* Audio:(file)

### Prefix

en-
* en- (all meanings)

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

## Galician
### Alternative forms

* em- (before b or p)

### Etymology

From Old Galician-Portuguese en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); compare en.

### Prefix

en-
* en-, in-

#### Derived terms

From

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

## Ido
### Etymology

Prefix form of en (“in”).

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ɛn/

### Prefix

en-
* prefix indicating in
    ‎en- + ‎irar (“to go”) → ‎enirar (“to go in; enter”)
    ‎en- + ‎swichar (“to switch”) → ‎enswichar (“to switch on”)

#### Derived terms
## Ladino
### Alternative forms

* em- (before b or p)

### Etymology

From Old Spanish en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of in (“in, into”).

### Prefix

en-
* en-

#### Derived terms
## Middle English
### Alternative forms

* an-

### Etymology

Borrowed from Old French en-, from Latin in-.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ɛn-/

### Prefix

en-
* Forms words, usually verbs, meaning "in", "on", or "around"; en-.
* Intensifies words, usually verbs; en-.

#### Usage notes

* Sometimes used interchangeably with in-; see that entry for more.

#### Descendants

* English: en- (in-)

#### References

* “en-, suf.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

## Mohawk
### Prefix

en-
* future tense prefix

### References

* Gunther Michelson (1973) A thousand words of Mohawk, University of Ottawa Press, page 5

## Norman
### Etymology

From Old French en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

### Prefix

en-
* en- (all meanings)

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

## Northern Ndebele
### Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

### Prefix

en-
* Class 9 adjective concord.

#### Usage notes

The variant form em- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).

## Occitan
### Alternative forms

* em-

### Etymology

From Old Occitan en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

### Prefix

en-
* en- (all meanings)

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

## Old French
### Alternative forms

* an-, em-

### Etymology

From Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”). Influenced by Frankish *an- (intensive prefix), related to Old English on- (intensive prefix).

### Prefix

en-
* en- (in; into)
* en- (intensifier)

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

## Old Galician-Portuguese
### Etymology

From Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”).

### Prefix

en-
* en-

#### Descendants

* Galician: en-
* Portuguese: en-

## Old Saxon
### Etymology

From ēn (“one”).

### Prefix

ēn-
* one, uni-, only
    ēnkunni (“only, unique”)
* sole, single, solitary

## Portuguese
### Alternative forms

* em- (before b or p)
* e- (before m or n)

### Etymology

From Old Galician-Portuguese en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); compare em.

### Prefix

en-
* en- (all meanings)

#### Related terms

* em

#### See also

* in-

## Spanish
### Alternative forms

* em- (before b or p)

### Etymology

Inherited from Old Spanish en-, from Latin in-, prefixation of Latin in (“in, into”); see en.

### Prefix

en-
* en- (all meanings) (clarification of this definition is needed)

#### Related terms

* en

#### See also

* in-

### Further reading

* “en-”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 2024 December 10

## Tocharian A
### Etymology

Related to Tocharian B en-, either borrowed into or from Tocharian A. Of uncertain origin, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European, cognate with Ancient Greek αἶνος (aînos, “story, tale”).

### Verb

en-
* to instruct, teach
* to punish

## Tocharian B
### Etymology

Related to Tocharian A en-, either borrowed into or from Tocharian B. Of uncertain origin, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European, cognate with Ancient Greek αἶνος (aînos, “story, tale”).

### Verb

en-
* to instruct, teach
* to punish

#### Derived terms

* enäṣṣālñe (“instruction, teaching, doctrine”)

### Further reading

* Adams, Douglas Q. (2013) “en-”, in A Dictionary of Tocharian B: Revised and Greatly Enlarged (Leiden Studies in Indo-European; 10), Amsterdam, New York: Rodopi, →ISBN, page 87

## Welsh
### Alternative forms

* an-

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ɛn/

### Prefix

en-
* affirmative prefix, emphasises prefixed word
    ‎en- + ‎mawr (“big”) → ‎enfawr (“huge”)
    ‎en- + ‎pyd (“danger”) → ‎enbyd (“dangerous, exceeding, pressing”)

#### Derived terms
### Mutation

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Welsh. All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

### References

R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “en-”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies

## Xhosa
### Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

### Prefix

en-
* Class 9 adjective concord.

#### Usage notes

The variant form em- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).

## Zulu
### Etymology

From a- (“relative”) +‎ n- (“class 9 basic noun prefix”).

### Prefix

ḗn-
* Class 9 adjective concord.

#### Usage notes

The variant form em- is used before stems beginning with a labial consonant (b, f, m, p, v).

### References

* C. M. Doke, B. W. Vilakazi (1972) “em-, en-”, in Zulu-English Dictionary, →ISBN: “em-, en-”