engaged

American  

[en-geyjd] / ɛnˈgeɪdʒd /

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.

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engaged British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• engagedly adverb
• engagedness noun
• unengaged adjective

Etymology

Origin of engaged

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

Example Sentences

He made his Ashes debut in Australia, got engaged to his partner Ana in Sydney and now, at times single-handedly, is taking England towards the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

From BBC

Scottish Water said it had only engaged Speedy Plumbers to support customers.

From BBC

Chandler, who is now an artist, and Wasserman are now engaged.

From The Wall Street Journal

In July 2010, while acting as trade envoy, Andrew engaged in an email correspondence with Terence Allen, an investment banker based in the United Arab Emirates.

From The Wall Street Journal

He thinks humanity is engaged in a “plunder” of nature “while our profligate use of land and energy continues to ruin our planet and threaten our existence.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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