surround

surroundverb

To surround someone or something is to be placed all around them, or, of a feeling such as doubt or interest, to be present all around an event or situation in the same way.

1. be all aroundbe positioned all the way around something

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Tall trees surround the old house. V + obj
   • The city is surrounded by mountains. (passive)
   • Police surrounded the building within minutes. V + obj
   • She was surrounded by friends on her birthday. (passive)

   Collocations

   verb + preposition surrounded by

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap The thing doing the surrounding usually follows by: surrounded by trees; with is also possible in some contexts (surrounded with flowers), but not of: not surrounded of trees.

2. connected withexist in close connection with an event, situation, or person, often making it seem more uncertain or interesting

   Often the thing doing the surrounding is a feeling or quality rather than a person or object: the mystery surrounding her disappearance; controversy surrounded the decision for months.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • There is still a lot of mystery surrounding her disappearance. V + obj
   • The controversy surrounding the decision has not gone away. V + obj
   • Speculation surrounded the company's sudden collapse. V + obj

   Collocations

   noun + verb mystery surrounding, controversy surrounding, questions surrounding

See also among; around