# engaged

/ɛnˈɡeɪdʒd/ (US) · /ɛnɡˈeɪdʒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/engaged
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. promised to marry

adjective · CEFR B1

having agreed to marry someone.

For teachers: having entered into a formal agreement or promise to marry a specific person.

- They got engaged during their holiday in Italy and plan to marry next year.
- The couple announced they were engaged after a private ceremony, much to the delight of their extended families.

### 2. busy or occupied

adjective · CEFR B2

busy doing something or involved in an activity.

For teachers: fully occupied or preoccupied with a specific task or conversation.

- I am sorry, but the manager is currently engaged in a meeting.
- The researchers were deeply engaged in analyzing the data when the power outage interrupted their progress.

### 3. phone line busy

adjective · CEFR B1 · British English

when a telephone line is already being used by someone else.

For teachers: referring to a telephone line or person already involved in a call when a third party attempts to connect.

- I tried to call the office, but the line was engaged all morning.
- Every time the journalist attempted to reach the source, the engaged tone signaled that the line was occupied by other callers.

### 4. mechanically connected

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

when parts of a machine are connected and working together.

For teachers: in contact and in operation, specifically regarding gears or mechanical components.

- The driver made sure the gears were fully engaged before moving the truck.
- The safety mechanism ensures that the blades cannot spin unless the protective housing is properly engaged.

### 5. military combat

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

involved in a fight or battle.

For teachers: involved in active combat or conflict with an enemy force.

- The soldiers were engaged with the enemy for several hours.
- The battalion remained engaged along the northern perimeter, preventing the opposing forces from advancing toward the capital.

### 6. architecture

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

a column that is attached to a wall.

For teachers: attached to a wall or partially sunk into it, rather than standing free.

- The building features several engaged columns that decorate the front wall.
- The architect utilized engaged columns to provide the illusion of structural support while maintaining a flush facade for the gallery.

## Examples

- They got engaged while on vacation in Italy.
- The manager is currently engaged in a meeting and cannot take your call at the moment.
- While the couple remained happily engaged for several years, they eventually decided that a formal wedding was less important than their shared daily life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.