enter
gb/ˈɛntɚ/ us/ˈɛntɚ/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Go into a place
To go into a place.
Usage pattern:
to enter [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'enter' with 'enter into' when talking about going into a physical place. 'Enter into' is not used for physical movement.
Synonyms
go into (More informal and general; often used in spoken English.)
|
come in (Common in spoken English; implies invitation or permission.)
Antonyms
leave (Means to go away from a place.)
|
exit (More formal or technical term for leaving a place.)
Collocations
enter a room
|enter a building
|enter the country
|enter the market
Themes
daily life
|movement
|travel
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She entered the room quietly so as not to wake the baby.
- We entered the museum through the main door.
- You need a visa to enter the country.
- He entered the building at exactly nine o’clock.
Learner examples
- I enter the house.
- We enter the shop.
- They enter the school every morning.
- He enters the room slowly.
Verb
B1
action
2
Put data into a system
To type or write information into a computer or form.
Usage pattern:
to enter [information/data] [into something]
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'into' when specifying where the data is placed, e.g., 'enter data computer' instead of 'enter data into the computer'.
Synonyms
input (More technical; commonly used in computing contexts.)
|
type in (Informal; specifically refers to using a keyboard.)
Antonyms
delete (Means to remove information from a system.)
Collocations
enter data
|enter details
|enter information
|enter a password
Themes
technology
|business
|communication
Examples
- Please enter your password to continue.
- You must enter your details on the online form.
- He entered the numbers into the spreadsheet.
- The clerk entered the customer’s order into the database.
Learner examples
- I enter my name on the form.
- She enters her email address.
- We enter the code into the box.
- They enter the numbers on the screen.
Verb
B1
action
3
Join an activity or situation
To start taking part in an activity or situation.
Usage pattern:
to enter [an activity/event/competition]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with physically going somewhere, but here it means starting to take part in something.
Synonyms
join (More general; often used for groups or organizations.)
|
participate in (Formal; emphasizes active involvement.)
Antonyms
withdraw from (Means to stop being involved in an activity or event.)
Collocations
enter a competition
|enter politics
|enter negotiations
Themes
sports
|business
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She decided to enter the singing contest.
- They entered the negotiations with high hopes.
- Many young people enter politics to make a change.
- We entered the race but didn’t win.
Learner examples
- I enter the game.
- We enter a race.
- They enter a contest.
- She enters the club for fun.
Verb
formal
B2
action
4
Join an institution formally
To start going to a school or join an organization like the army.
Usage pattern:
to enter [an institution]
Synonyms
enroll in (Common in American English for joining courses or institutions.)
Antonyms
graduate from (Specifically means finishing studies at an institution.)
Collocations
enter university
|enter the army
|enter high school
Themes
education
|military
|work
Examples
- He entered the army at the age of eighteen.
- She entered Harvard University last fall.
- After passing the exam, he entered medical school.
Learner examples
- I enter high school this year.
- She enters college next month.
- They enter the army after school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enter
IPA
GB/ˈɛntɚ/
US/ˈɛntɚ/
Syllables & stress
enter (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (enter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: enter
- 3rd Person Singular: enters
- Present Participle: entering
- Past: entered
Word family
Expressions
enter into an agreement
1/ˈɛntɚ ˈɪntu ən əɡɹˈimənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Formally make an agreement
To make an official agreement with someone.
Examples
- The two companies entered into an agreement to share resources.
- They entered into an agreement to end the dispute.
enter into discussion
1/ˈɛntɚ ˈɪntu dɪskˈʌʃən/
fixed phrase
Start serious discussion on topic
To begin talking seriously about something with others.
Examples
- We entered into discussion about the future of the project.
- They entered into discussion with local leaders.
enter into force
1/ˈɛntɚ ˈɪntu fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
formal
Begin to have legal effect
To start being used as a law or rule.
Examples
- The new regulations will enter into force next year.
- The treaty entered into force after ratification by all parties.