engage

1 of 2

verb

en·​gage in-ˈgāj 

en-

engaged; engaging

transitive verb

1

: to offer (something, such as one's life or word) as backing to a cause or aim : to expose to risk for the attainment or support of some end

engaged his all in the king's cause

2

a

obsolete : to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog

b

: to attract and hold by influence or power

c

: to interlock with : mesh

also : to cause (mechanical parts) to mesh

engage the clutch

3

: to bind (someone, such as oneself) to do something

especially : to bind by a pledge to marry

4

a

: to provide occupation for : involve

engage him in a new project

b

: to arrange to obtain the use or services of : hire

engage a lawyer

5

a

: to hold the attention of : engross

her work engages her completely

b

: to induce to participate

engaged the shy boy in conversation

6

a

: to enter into contest or battle with

engage the enemy

b

: to bring together or interlock (weapons)

7

: to deal with especially at length

intransitive verb

1

a

: to pledge oneself : promise

b

: to make a guarantee

he engages for the honesty of his brother

2

a

: to begin and carry on an enterprise or activity

—used with in

engaged in trade for many years

b

: to do or take part in something

—used with in

engage in healthy activities

engage in bad conduct

c

: to give attention to something : deal

failing to engage with the problem

3

: to enter into conflict or battle

4

: to come together and interlock

the gears engaged

engagé

2 of 2

adjective

en·​ga·​gé ˌäⁿ-ˌgä-ˈzhā 

: committed to or supportive of a cause

Did you know?

Engagé is the past participle of the French verb engager, meaning "to engage." The French have used "engagé" since the 19th century to describe socially or politically active people. The term became particularly fashionable in the wake of World War II, when French writers, artists, and intellectuals felt it was increasingly important for them to take a stand on political or social issues and represent their attitudes in their art. By 1946, English speakers had adopted the word for their own politically relevant writing or art, and within a short time "engagé" was being used generally for any passionate commitment to a cause.

Synonyms

Verb

• absorb
• bemuse
• busy
• catch up
• engross
• enthrall
• enthral
• enwrap
• fascinate
• grip
• immerse
• interest
• intrigue
• involve
• occupy

Examples of engage in a Sentence

Verb

He was engaged as a tutor.

He sure can engage an audience.

The story engaged my interest.

The troops prepared to engage the enemy.

The troops prepared to engage with the enemy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rather than launching into a pitch for your product or service, engage your customers in conversation, ask them their names and then call them by their names. —Stephanie Coultress O'Neill, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

The slang phrase refers to a temporary loss of ambition, drive and the desire to engage, create and consume. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024

The pair got engaged four years later in May 2024 and then got married in a courthouse wedding a month later. —Nicholas Rice, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

The team, comprising council delegates, the President's Office, the attorney general and water experts has since engaged extensively with stakeholders to finalize the settlement. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French engager, from en- + gage pledge, gage

Adjective

French, past participle of engager to engage

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1946, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing engage

• engage in
• engage with
• re-engage

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Kids Definition

engage

verb

en·​gage in-ˈgāj 

engaged; engaging

1

: to commit oneself to do something

especially : to bind by a pledge to marry

2

a

: to arrange for the use or services of : hire

engage a lawyer

b

: to keep fixed or concentrated

the task engaged our attention

3

a

: to cause to take part

engaged the stranger in conversation

b

: participate

she engages in sports

4

: to enter into contest or battle with

engage the enemy

5

: to come together or cause to come together and mesh

the gears engaged