engaged
[ en-geyjd ]
/ ɛnˈgeɪdʒd /
adjective
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.
- interlocked.
- (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.
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Nearby words
eng, eng., eng. d., engadine, engage, engaged, engaged tone, engagement, engagement calendar, engagement ring, engaging
Related formsen·gag·ed·ly [en-gey-jid-lee, -geyjd-] /ɛnˈgeɪ dʒɪd li, -ˈgeɪdʒd-/, adverben·gag·ed·ness, nounun·en·gaged, adjective
Definition for engaged (2 of 2)
engage
[ en-geyj ]
/ ɛnˈgeɪdʒ /
verb (used with object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.
verb (used without object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.
SYNONYMS FOR engage
Related formsen·gag·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for engaged
British Dictionary definitions for engaged (1 of 3)
engaged
/ (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd) /
adjective
pledged to be married; betrothed
employed, occupied, or busy
architect built against or attached to a wall or similar structurean engaged column
(of a telephone line) already in use
Derived Formsengagedly (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪdlɪ), adverb
British Dictionary definitions for engaged (2 of 3)
engage
/ (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ) /
verb (mainly tr)
Derived Formsengager, noun
Word Origin for engage
C15: from Old French engagier, from en- 1 + gage a pledge, see gage 1
British Dictionary definitions for engaged (3 of 3)
engagé
/ French (ɑ̃ɡaʒe) /
adjective
(of a writer or artist, esp a man) morally or politically committed to some ideology
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for engaged
engage
early 15c., "to pledge," from Middle French engagier, from Old French en gage "under pledge," from en "make" + gage "pledge," through Frankish from Proto-Germanic *wadiare "pledge" (see wed).
It shows the common evolution of Germanic -w- to French -g-; cf. Guillaume from Wilhelm). Meaning "attract the attention of" is from 1640s; that of "employ" is from 1640s, from notion of "binding as by a pledge." Specific sense of "promise to marry" is 1610s (implied in engaged).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper