ENGLISH
REFERENCE

engage

v.
US //ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ// UK //ɛnɡˈeɪdʒ// en·gage
  1. 1 to participate or involve (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to take part in something or to get someone's interest and attention.

    to occupy or attract someone's interest or attention; to involve oneself in a task or conversation.

    Example

    The teacher tried to engage the students in a discussion about the book.

    Example

    The lecturer struggled to engage the audience, as the technical complexity of the subject matter exceeded the listeners' prior knowledge.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'with' when describing interaction.
  2. 2 to hire (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to hire someone to do a job or provide a service.

    to arrange to employ or use someone's services, typically in a professional or formal context.

    Example

    The company decided to engage a lawyer to review the new contract.

    Example

    The board of directors voted to engage a specialist consultancy firm to oversee the restructuring of the international divisions.
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  1. 3 to connect parts (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    to fit parts of a machine together so that they move.

    to cause parts of a mechanism to fit together or mesh, allowing power to be transmitted.

    Example

    You need to engage the clutch before you can change gears.

    Example

    The safety mechanism will only engage once the primary sensors confirm that the protective housing is fully sealed.

    Usage

    Can be used transitively (engage the gear) or intransitively (the gear engages).
  2. 4 to fight (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to start a fight or battle with an enemy.

    to enter into conflict or combat with an opposing force.

    Example

    The soldiers were ordered not to engage the enemy until they had backup.

    Example

    The naval commander was hesitant to engage the fleet, fearing that the narrow strait would limit his ships' ability to manoeuvre.
Origin

From Middle English engagen, from Old French engagier (“to pledge, engage”), from Frankish anwadjōn (“to pledge”), from Proto-Germanic an-, andi- + Proto-Germanic wadjōną (“to pledge, secure”), from Proto-Germanic wadją (“pledge, guarantee”), from Proto-Indo-European wedʰ- (“to pledge, redeem a pledge; guarantee, bail”), equivalent to en- + gage. Cognate with Old English anwedd (“pledge, security”), Old English weddian (“to engage, covenant, undertake”), German wetten (“to bet, wager”), Icelandic veðja (“to wager”). More at wed.

Word family

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