1 A2 neutral
To fold, cover, or encircle something by placing one thing around another.
"She wrapped the scarf around her neck twice to keep out the cold."
inseparable
wrap around
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To fold, bend, or extend so as to cover or encircle something; to put one's arms or legs around someone or something.
In plain English
To go around something to cover it or hold it.
What does "wrap around" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To put one's arms or legs around another person, especially in a hug or embrace.
"He wrapped his arms around her and told her everything was going to be okay."
inseparable
3 B2 neutral
In computing or design: to continue from one edge to another, appearing on the opposite side when a boundary is reached.
"Set the text to wrap around the image so readers don't have to scroll past a large white space."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fold something 'around' an object — fully transparent.
Actually means
To go around something to cover it or hold it.
Usage tip
Used both literally (a scarf wrapping around a neck, arms wrapping around a person) and technically (in computing, where 'wrap around' describes text or display that continues from one edge to another). Very natural in everyday speech.
Words that pair with "wrap around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
arms legs blanket scarf text fingers cord
How to conjugate "wrap around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wrap around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wraps around
he/she/it
Past simple
wraped around
yesterday
Past participle
wraped around
have + pp
-ing form
wraping around
continuous
Hear "wrap around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wrap around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.