enter Meaning & Definition
What Does Enter Mean?
Enter is used as a verb meaning To go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space. It can also mean To cause to go (into), or to be received (into); to put in; to insert; to cause to be admitted. As a noun, it means The action of entering; an instance of entering. As a noun, it means The "Enter" key on a computer keyboard.
Enter: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɛntə(ɹ)/ |
| Synonyms | figure, introduce and enroll |
| Antonyms | exit, give up and quit |
| Plural | enters |
| Verb forms | enters, entering, entered |
Enter Definition (Verb)
- To go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
You should knock before you enter, unless you want to see me naked.
- To cause to go (into), or to be received (into); to put in; to insert; to cause to be admitted.
to enter a knife into a piece of wood
- To go or come into (a state or profession).
My twelve-year-old son will be entering his teens next year.
- To type (something) into a computer; to input.
Enter your user name and password.
- To record (something) in an account, ledger, etc.
- To come on to the stage during a performance.
She enters stage right.
- Used as a stage direction, usually preceding the name of the character who appears.
- Used in the manner of a stage direction: to enter the picture, to become relevant.
- To become a party to an agreement, treaty, etc.
- To become effective; to come into effect.
- To go into or upon, as lands, and take actual possession of them.
- To place in regular form before the court, usually in writing; to put upon record in proper from and order.
to enter a writ, appearance, rule, or judgment
- To make report of (a vessel or its cargo) at the custom house; to submit a statement of (imported goods), with the original invoices, to the proper customs officer for estimating the duties. See entry.
- To file, or register with the land office, the required particulars concerning (a quantity of public land) in order to entitle a person to a right of preemption.
- To deposit for copyright the title or description of (a book, picture, map, etc.).
entered according to act of Congress
- To initiate; to introduce favourably.
- To begin (a regular activity or job); to undertake; to take up. [with on or upon]
Enter as a Noun
- The action of entering; an instance of entering.
- Alternative spelling of Enter (“the computer key”).
- Alternative spelling of Enter (“a stroke of the computer key”).
Noun
- The "Enter" key on a computer keyboard.
- A stroke of the Enter key.
Synonyms of Enter
Antonyms of Enter
Enter in a Sentence
You should knock before you enter, unless you want to see me naked.
to enter a knife into a piece of wood
to enter a boy at college, a horse for a race, etc.
My twelve-year-old son will be entering his teens next year.
She had planned to enter the legal profession.
Enter your user name and password.
She enters stage right.
to enter a writ, appearance, rule, or judgment
entered according to act of Congress
to enter a knife into a piece of wood; to enter a boy at college, a horse for a race, etc.
My twelve-year-old son will be entering his teens next year. She had planned to enter the legal profession.
Word Forms & Grammar
enter (third-person singular simple present enters, present participle entering, simple past and past participle entered)
enter (plural enters)
Words That Rhyme With Enter
Origin of Enter
From Middle English entren, from Old French entrer, from Latin intrō (“enter”, verb), from intrā (“inside”). Has been spelled as "enter" for several centuries even in the United Kingdom, although British English and the English of many Commonwealth Countries (e.g. Australia, Canada) retain the "re" ending for many words such as centre, fibre, spectre, theatre, calibre, sombre, lustre, and litre.
Common Questions About Enter
Is enter a verb or a noun?
Enter is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for enter?
You can replace enter with words such as figure, introduce and enroll. See the full list of enter synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of enter?
The plural of enter is enters.
What is the past tense of enter?
The past tense of enter is entered. The present participle is entering.