Word
disengage
Phoneticsdis·en·gage, stress on the third syllable
US/dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/
UK/dˌɪsɛnɡˈeɪdʒ/
Definition
v. to move away from something or to stop being involved in a situation. You use this when you want to describe taking your foot off the gas or ending a connection.
v. to move away from a position of contact or to cease being involved in an activity. Often describes the physical act of removing a mechanical connection or the metaphorical act of withdrawing from a social or emotional state.
Examples
“He disengaged the clutch to stop the car.”
“The pilot had to disengage the autopilot system to manually navigate through the thick cloud bank.”
“After years of intense political pressure, the ambassador finally disengaged from the negotiations, citing a lack of progress and a need to protect national interests.”
Examples
simple
“He disengaged the clutch to stop the car.”
contextual
“The pilot had to disengage the autopilot system to manually navigate through the thick cloud bank.”
complex
“After years of intense political pressure, the ambassador finally disengaged from the negotiations, citing a lack of progress and a need to protect national interests.”
Real-World Examples
“Today, I speak to Jenny Anderson , award-winning journalist and author of The Disengaged Teen, about why so many young people are disengaging from learning, and what it might take to turn that around.” “Relying on text and email means sick workers disengaged and were less likely to work again, says Sir Charlie Mayfield.” “But India and China have since agreed to "disengage" from the border are now in the midst of pulling back troops from parts of it.” Etymology
From Middle French désengager ; dis- + engage.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/disengage