engaged

[en-geyjd]

adjective

1. busy or occupied; involved.

   deeply engaged in conversation.

2. pledged to be married; betrothed.

   an engaged couple.

3. under engagement; pledged.

   an engaged contractor.

4. entered into conflict with.

   desperately engaged armies.

5. Mechanics.

   1. interlocked.

   2. (of wheels) in gear with each other.

6. 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.

engaged

/ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪdlɪ, ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd /

adjective

1. pledged to be married; betrothed

2. employed, occupied, or busy

3. architect built against or attached to a wall or similar structure

   an engaged column

4. (of a telephone line) already in use

Other Word Forms

• engagedly adverb
• engagedness noun
• unengaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of engaged¹

First recorded in 1605–15; engage + -ed ²

Example Sentences

This is denied by the company which says it has not engaged in any conversations with the criminal.

From BBC

And the way customers want to be engaged with in a bricks-and-mortar store has changed too.

From Los Angeles Times

She and Cooper were spotlighted in the series’ third episode, where their characters engaged in a tense battle of wills.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's that time of life where everyone is getting engaged, married or having kids," Lucy says.

From BBC

These advocates have long been critical of alternative “whole language” approaches that rely heavily on the concept that children are more engaged when they learn to read with less emphasis on decoding words.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absorbed 
• committed 
• employed 
• engrossed 
• interested 
• involved 
• occupied 
• preoccupied 
• working