engage

¹

[en-geyj]

verb (used with object)

engaged, engaging 

1. to occupy the attention or efforts of (a person or persons).

   He engaged her in conversation.

   Synonyms: involve, interest, engross, absorb

2. to secure for aid, employment, use, etc.; hire.

   to engage a worker;

   to engage a room.

   Antonyms: discharge

3. to attract and hold fast.

   The novel engaged her attention and interest.

4. to attract or please.

   His good nature engages everyone.

5. to bind, as by pledge, promise, contract, or oath; make liable.

   He engaged himself to repay his debt within a month.

6. to betroth (usually used in the passive).

   They were engaged last week.

7. to bring (troops) into conflict; enter into conflict with.

   Our army engaged the enemy.

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

   Antonyms: release

9. to attach or secure.

10. Obsolete.,  to entangle or involve.

verb (used without object)

engaged, engaging 

1. to occupy oneself; become involved.

   to engage in business or politics.

2. to take employment.

   She engaged in her mother's business.

3. to pledge one's word; assume an obligation.

   I was unwilling to engage on such terms.

4. to cross weapons; enter into conflict.

   The armies engaged early in the morning.

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

engagé

²

[ahn-ga-zhey]

adjective

1. choosing to involve oneself in or commit oneself to something.

   Some of the political activists grew less engagé as the years passed.

engage

¹

/ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ /

verb

1. to secure the services of; employ

2. to secure for use; reserve

   engage a room

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

4. to attract (the affection) of (a person)

   her innocence engaged him

5. to draw (somebody) into conversation

6. (intr) to take part; participate

   he engages in many sports

7. to promise (to do something)

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

9. to bring (a mechanism) into operation

   he engaged the clutch

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

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

engagé

²

/ ɑ̃ɡaʒe /

adjective

1. (of a writer or artist, esp a man) morally or politically committed to some ideology

Other Word Forms

• engager noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of engage¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Middle French engager, Old French engagier; en- ¹ ( def. ), gage ¹ ( def. )

Origin of engage²

First recorded in 1950–55; from French: literally, “engaged”

Word History and Origins

Origin of engage¹

C15: from Old French engagier, from _en- ¹ + gage a pledge, see _gage ¹

Example Sentences

Claudia credits Bolsonaro's "love for the flag" with inspiring "housewives, the WhatsApp aunt, the bricklayer, the businessman" to engage in politics.

From BBC

In international law, armed conflict exists when two or more organized armed groups engage in intense fighting lasting at least a day.

From Salon

The GAA had said it would engage with the executive to ensure a full funding package is delivered, but Gordon Lyons - in his capacity as Sports Minister - has insisted the GAA will need to increase its contribution and potentially redraw its plans to make it more affordable.

From BBC

"Often women go out alongside their male counterparts and do female searching and engage with female civilians," Dr Bennett says.

From BBC

The timing of the raid, as the two governments engage in sensitive trade talks, has raised concern in Seoul.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrest 
• catch 
• employ 
• fascinate 
• immerse 
• interest 
• involve 
• join 
• participate 
• preoccupy 
• undertake