verb
engage
ihn-GAYJ
verb
1
To hold someone's attention or interest.
"The speaker engaged the audience with vivid stories."
"She tried to engage her daughter in conversation about school."
2
To enter into conflict or battle with an opponent.
"The two fleets engaged at dawn."
3
To arrange to employ or hire someone, or to book a service.
"The firm engaged a consultant to review its finances."
4
To interlock or mesh, as with gears or machine parts.
"Release the clutch slowly so the gears engage smoothly."
How to Use Engage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo involve or connect with something — attention, conflict, employment, or mechanical parts, depending on context.
Common pairings
engage the audience
engage in conversation
engage a lawyer
engage the clutch
Word Forms
engaged past tense, engages singular
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Etymology
From Old French engagier ("to pledge"), from Frankish roots related to Proto-Germanic wadjōną ("to pledge, secure") — ultimately the same root as "wed."