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- pronunciation:
- ihn
geIj
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
engages, engaging, engaged |
| definition 1: |
When you engage in something, you participate in it. You take part or involve yourself in it. If you engage in a game, you play in the game. You don't just watch.
Luke doesn't engage in sports very much, but his brother plays both football and basketball.The guests engaged in lively conversation during dinner.Many people engaged in the effort to put out the fire.The two armies engaged in a battle that lasted many days.- synonyms:
- participate
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| definition 2: |
If something engages your interest or attention, it makes you interested in it or makes you pay attention to it.
The movie engaged the interest of the audience right away.An unusual noise from the other room suddenly engaged everyone's attention.- synonyms:
- secure
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| definition 3: |
If something engages you, it makes you interested in it.
The story was exciting, and it engaged the children right away.- synonyms:
- absorb, attract, interest, occupy
- antonyms:
- lose
- similar words:
- appeal, catch, hold, immerse, secure
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| definition 4: |
If you engage yourself to another person, you promise to marry them. If someone, like a parent, engages their child to someone, they promise that their child will eventually marry that person.
The king engaged his young daughter to marry a prince from a kingdom far away.Mr. Jones engaged himself to his girlfriend, but later he told her he had changed his mind.- similar words:
- commit, pledge, promise
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| definition 5: |
When people engage a person to do something, they hire them to do it. They ask them to do a certain type of work for pay.
The neighbors engaged a chef for their big party.- synonyms:
- employ, hire
- similar words:
- book, contract, sign up
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| definition 6: |
When one army engages another army, they begin to fight.
The American troops engaged the British troops on this hill in 1778.- synonyms:
- battle, encounter, fight
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| related words: |
absorb, act, battle, compete, distract, interest, involve |
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