engaged
Americanadjective
-
busy or occupied; involved.
deeply engaged in conversation.
-
pledged to be married; betrothed.
an engaged couple.
-
under engagement; pledged.
an engaged contractor.
-
entered into conflict with.
desperately engaged armies.
-
Mechanics.
-
(of wheels) in gear with each other.
-
Architecture. (of a distinct member) built so as to be truly or seemingly attached in part to the structure before which it stands.
an engaged column.
adjective
-
pledged to be married; betrothed
-
employed, occupied, or busy
-
architect built against or attached to a wall or similar structure
an engaged column
-
(of a telephone line) already in use
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of engaged
Explanation
Engaged means fully occupied or having your full attention. An engaged reader really focuses on the words and maybe even jots down questions or comments in the pages' margins. If you're busy or involved with something, you're engaged in it. A formal reply to an invitation to lunch might be, "I'm sorry, I'm otherwise engaged" — meaning you already have plans. Engaged often describes people who have committed to getting married. You can see this meaning in the word's origin, the French word engagier, meaning "to pledge."
Vocabulary lists containing engaged
Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"What Is News?" and "How to Detect Bias in the News"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Great Gilly Hopkins
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I try to give good eye contact, nod to what they're saying and show them I'm engaged," he says.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
He cited the telecom company Lucent, which engaged in vendor financing to boost sales in the 1990s.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Police briefly engaged in a high-speed car chase before ending it over safety concerns.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
MLB rules stipulate that batters must be alert and engaged with the pitcher when the clock reaches eight seconds or else they will receive a strike.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Oh! he told me all about it; that Jane Fairfax and Mr. Frank Churchill are to be married, and that they have been privately engaged to one another this long while. How very odd!”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
