engaged

[ en-geyjd ]

/ ɛnˈgeɪdʒd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR engaged ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

eng, eng., eng. d., engadine, engage, engaged, engaged tone, engagement, engagement calendar, engagement ring, engaging

Origin of engaged

First recorded in 1605–15; engage + -ed²

Related forms

en·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.

to occupy the attention or efforts of (a person or persons): He engaged her in conversation.

to secure for aid, employment, use, etc.; hire: to engage a worker; to engage a room.

to attract and hold fast: The novel engaged her attention and interest.

to attract or please: His good nature engages everyone.

to bind, as by pledge, promise, contract, or oath; make liable: He engaged himself to repay his debt within a month.

to betroth (usually used in the passive): They were engaged last week.

to bring (troops) into conflict; enter into conflict with: Our army engaged the enemy.

Mechanics. to cause (gears or the like) to become interlocked; interlock with.

to attach or secure.

Obsolete. to entangle or involve.

verb (used without object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.

to occupy oneself; become involved: to engage in business or politics.

to take employment: She engaged in her mother's business.

to pledge one's word; assume an obligation: I was unwilling to engage on such terms.

to cross weapons; enter into conflict: The armies engaged early in the morning.

Mechanics. (of gears or the like) to interlock.

Origin of engage

1515–25; < Middle French engager, Old French engagier. See en-¹, gage¹

SYNONYMS FOR engage

1 absorb, engross, interest, involve.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR engage ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR engage

2 discharge.

8 release.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR engage ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

en·gag·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for engaged

Jennie met Randolph Churchill in 1873 at a ball; three days later they were engaged.
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“After we got engaged, she only made things harder,” explains Sabrine.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was engaged a year later to a man 11 years her senior, chosen by her father.
Drawing on the Memories of Syrian Women|Masha Hamilton|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The brash, engaged, occasionally self-centered ex-lawmaker seemed to retreat inward and practically disappear.
Hagel Takes a Bullet for Obama: Inside the Defense Secretary’s Sudden Firing|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And what do I call him now that we are living together, but are not engaged or married?
What Should I Call the Man I Love?|Dushka Zapata|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The young men had engaged a room at Bertolini's hotel, on the Lungarno.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
He then specified the salary and commission to be paid, and engaged Mr. Feldman to draw the deed for the tenement house.
Potash & Perlmutter|Montague Glass
And yet, engaged to enter into that state, as I am, how can I help myself?
Clarissa Harlowe, Volume 9 (of 9)|Samuel Richardson
Evidently it was to be taken quietly for granted that these two were engaged.
The Guests Of Hercules|C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson
Dorise had hailed the man, but his reply was a surly "Engaged."
Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo|William Le Queux

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 Forms

engagedly (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪdlɪ), adverb

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (2 of 3)

engage

/ (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ) /

verb (mainly tr)

to secure the services of; employ

to secure for use; reserveengage a room

to involve (a person or his attention) intensely; engross; occupy

to attract (the affection) of (a person)her innocence engaged him

to draw (somebody) into conversation

(intr) to take part; participatehe engages in many sports

to promise (to do something)

(also intr) military to begin an action with (an enemy)

to bring (a mechanism) into operationhe engaged the clutch

(also intr) to undergo or cause to undergo interlocking, as of the components of a driving mechanism, such as a gear train

machinery to locate (a locking device) in its operative position or to advance (a tool) into a workpiece to commence cutting

Derived Forms

engager, 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

engaged

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of engaged

Related forms

Definition for engaged (2 of 2)

engage

verb (used with object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.

verb (used without object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.

Origin of engage

SYNONYMS FOR engage

ANTONYMS FOR engage

Related forms

Examples from the Web for engaged

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (1 of 3)

engaged

adjective

Derived Forms

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (2 of 3)

engage

verb (mainly tr)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for engage

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (3 of 3)

engagé

adjective