Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 enveloping · IPA /ɪnvˈɛləpɪŋ/ adj. n. 01 adj. surrounding closely on all sides. 1. surrounding closely on all sides. Syn. ambient, encompassing, surrounding(prenominal). 02 n. the act or process of enclosing something inside something else. 1. the act or process of enclosing something inside something else. Syn. enclosure, enclosing, envelopment, inclosure.