Word
engage
Phoneticsen·gage, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛnˈɡeɪdʒ/
UK/ɛnɡˈeɪdʒ/
Definitions
01to participate or involve
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to take part in something or to get someone's interest and attention.
v. to occupy or attract someone's interest or attention; to involve oneself in a task or conversation.
“The teacher tried to engage the students in a discussion about the book.”
“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.
02to hire
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to hire someone to do a job or provide a service.
v. to arrange to employ or use someone's services, typically in a professional or formal context.
日本語:採用する※
“The company decided to engage a lawyer to review the new contract.”
“The board of directors voted to engage a specialist consultancy firm to oversee the restructuring of the international divisions.”
03to connect parts
B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Technical
v. to fit parts of a machine together so that they move.
v. to cause parts of a mechanism to fit together or mesh, allowing power to be transmitted.
日本語:噛む※
“You need to engage the clutch before you can change gears.”
“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).
Antonyms
04to fight
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to start a fight or battle with an enemy.
v. to enter into conflict or combat with an opposing force.
“The soldiers were ordered not to engage the enemy until they had backup.”
“The naval commander was hesitant to engage the fleet, fearing that the narrow strait would limit his ships' ability to manoeuvre.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “engage” in context.
Verb
01. engage in
“Students are encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities to build their social skills.”
verb + prep
Real-World Examples
“It is the main way in which people engage with text, photos and videos they see online.” “After receiving no response to warnings, Qatari forces engaged the targets.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Idioms
Domain
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/engage
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0