verb
disengage
dih-sihng-GAYJ
Disengage (verb) means to detach or release something from what is holding or connecting it. Example: “He disengaged the clutch before shifting gears.”
verb
1
To detach or release something from what is holding or connecting it.
"He disengaged the clutch before shifting gears."
"She disengaged from the conversation and left quietly."
How to use disengage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo unhook, release, or step back from something you were connected to or involved in.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
disengage the gear
disengage from a task
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Word forms
- Plural
- disengages
- Third person singular
- disengages
- Past tense
- disengaged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the clutch before shifting gears.
Etymology
From French desengager, built from dis- plus engage — the opposite of locking or committing to something.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disengage
See all rhymes for disengage →Frequently asked questions
What does “disengage” mean?
The word “disengage” means to detach or release something from what is holding or connecting it. In plain terms, to unhook, release, or step back from something you were connected to or involved in.
How do you pronounce “disengage”?
“Disengage” is pronounced dih-sihng-GAYJ (/ˌdɪsɪŋˈɡeɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disengage” in a sentence?
Here is “disengage” used in a sentence: “He disengaged the clutch before shifting gears.”
What part of speech is “disengage”?
“Disengage” is a verb.
Where does the word “disengage” come from?
The word “disengage” comes from French. From French desengager, built from dis- plus engage — the opposite of locking or committing to something.
