engaged (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd
)
Definitions
adjective
- pledged to be married; betrothed
- employed, occupied, or busy
- architecture built against or attached to a wall or similar structure ⇒
an engaged column
- (of a telephone line) already in use
Alternative Forms
engagedly (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪdlɪ) adverb engage (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ)
Definitions
verb (mainly tr)
- to secure the services of; employ
- to secure for use; reserve ⇒
engage 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; participate ⇒
he engages in many sports
- to promise (to do something)
- (also intr) military to begin an action with (an enemy)
- to bring (a mechanism) into operation ⇒
he 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
Alternative Forms
enˈgager nounWord Origin
C15: from Old French engagier, from en-C15: from Old French from 1 + a pledge, see + gage a pledge, see gageC15: from Old French from + a pledge, see 1Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
participate in,
join in,
take part in,
undertake,
practise,
embark on,
enter into,
become involved in
set about,
partake of,
=
captivate,
win,
draw,
catch,
arrest,
fix,
attract,
capture,
charm,
attach,
fascinate,
enchant,
allure,
enamour,
Translations
- British English:
engaged
Someone who is engaged in or on a particular activity is doing it or involved with it....the various projects he was engaged in.ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd ADJECTIVE ...the various projects he was engaged in.
- Spanish:
comprometido
adj comprometida
- French:
fiancé
adj
- German:
verlobt
adj
- Chinese: 使用中的 adj
- Arabic: مَشْغُول adj
- Portuguese: noivo nm noiva
- Russian: помолвленный adj помолвленная
- Croatian: zauzet adj zauzeta
- Czech: zasnoubený adj
- Danish: optaget af adj
- Dutch: verloofd adj
- Finnish: kihloissa adj__adv
- Greek: αρραβωνιασμένος adj αρραβωνιασμένη
- Italian: fidanzato adj fidanzata
- Japanese: 婚約している no_posp
- Korean: 약혼한 adj
- Norwegian: forlovet adj
- Polish: zaręczony adj zaręczona
- Brazilian Portuguese: envolvido nm envolvida
- European Spanish:
comprometido
adj comprometida
- Swedish: förlovad adj förlovat
- Thai: ที่หมั้นหมาย adj
- Turkish: nişanlı adj
- Vietnamese: đã hứa hôn adj
Usage examples
The fit of bravery that had come over her as a result of hearing that Caroline and Tom were engaged had receded somewhat.
, JUST BETWEEN US (2002)Also, many fans have found that a telephone line set up to sell tickets has been almost constantly engaged.
NME (New Musical Express) (2004)Mr Trimble believed that the IRA was engaged in a "process" of decommissioning.
Irish Times (2002)It is also thought he will meet British troops engaged in Operation Essential Harvest.
Glasgow Herald (2001)She knew all about the soldier Hannah had been engaged to who died on the beach in Normandy around D-Day.
, WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS (2002)