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Showing results for engaging. Search instead for engorging.
Synonyms

engaging

American  
[en-gey-jing] / ɛnˈgeɪ dʒɪŋ /

adjective

  1. winning; attractive; pleasing.

    an engaging smile.

    Synonyms:
    agreeable, charming

engaging British  
/ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ /

adjective

  1. pleasing, charming, or winning

"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

Other Word Forms

  • engagingly adverb
  • engagingness noun
  • quasi-engaging adjective
  • quasi-engagingly adverb
  • unengaging adjective

Etymology

Origin of engaging

First recorded in 1665–75; engage + -ing 2

Explanation

A story, song, or person that is engaging is entertaining, fun, and interesting — you want to see or hear more. To remember the meaning of engaging, it might help to think of what engaged means. When a couple is engaged, they've agreed to get married. When something or somebody is engaging, you want to spend more time with them too. Boring is the complete opposite of engaging. Think of your favorite movie or TV show — especially one you can't stop watching — it must be very engaging.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing engaging

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The department said Wright will be engaging with Mrvan’s office.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

The lawsuit, which has yet to go to trial, seeks a permanent injunction that would prohibit Amazon from engaging in unlawful conduct and loosen its “monopolistic control to restore competition.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

In her company, Julian sheds most of his ego, engaging in intellectual tête-à-têtes about his past works and whether a forgery can ever really capture an artist’s intention and energy.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Jennifer Levitz is the editor of National Affairs, a team that brings curiosity, rigorous reporting and engaging writing to the big subjects unfolding in cities and towns across America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The Earthling figure who is most engaging to the Tralfamadorian mind, he says, is Charles Darwin—who taught that those who die are meant to die, that corpses are improvements.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut