What does entomb mean?
Entomb is a formal verb meaning to bury a dead body in a tomb, or more broadly, to enclose something so completely that it seems trapped or sealed away. It appears most often in historical, archaeological, or solemn contexts — pharaohs are entombed in pyramids, medieval kings in cathedral crypts. The word also carries a powerful figurative sense: workers may be described as entombed after a mine collapse, or documents entombed in an archive, conveying total enclosure and often a sense of finality or helplessness. Derived from French tombe (itself from Greek tymbos, meaning a burial mound), it entered English in the early 17th century. Its noun form is entombment. Because it suggests deliberate, permanent enclosure rather than simple burial, entomb is a precise and evocative alternative to bury or inter, well suited to writing that aims for gravity or drama.
verbTo place or bury a dead body in a tomb; to enclose something as if in a grave.
- To place a body in a tomb; to bury.
- Figuratively: to enclose or trap something completely.
"The pharaoh's remains were entombed beneath the pyramid, sealed away for eternity."
"The ancient king was entombed alongside treasures meant to accompany him into the afterlife."
"Miners were briefly entombed when the tunnel collapsed, though all were eventually rescued."
The word 'entomb' literally means to put someone IN a tomb — and it's one of the few English words where the prefix tells you almost the entire meaning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entomb
Entomb derives from French tombe, which traces back through Late Latin tumba to Greek tymbos, meaning a burial mound or grave. The verb was formed by prefixing en- ('in' or 'into') to the noun root, first appearing in English in the early 17th century. Related words sharing this Greek root include catacomb and tombstone.
Related word forms
How entomb is actually used
Formal register, typically found in archaeological, historical, or literary contexts. The figurative sense (trapped/enclosed) is common in journalism describing mining accidents or structural collapses. Carries a sombre, weighty connotation.
Easily confused with entomb
'Entombed' is simply the past-tense form of 'entomb', not a separate word with a distinct meaning.