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

Prince Group did not respond to the BBC's request for comment, but has previously "categorically" denied having engaged in "any unlawful activity," according to the company's statement following the US sanction.

Read more on BBC

The team recorded when new connections formed by tracking how close the birds allowed each other to come and identifying which pairs engaged in grooming or other friendly behaviors over time.

Read more on Science Daily

Grace De Mars, a 21-year-old senior at California Baptist University who attended the conference, recently got engaged to her high school boyfriend.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He denied Marouf’s new request for a grant of voluntary departure, arguing that the government’s charges that Marouf engaged in terrorist activity made him ineligible.

Read more on Salon

Helping them solve practical problems can be a way to keep them engaged.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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