engaged
ihn-GAYJD
Engaged (adj) means having formally agreed to marry someone. Example: “They got engaged after five years together.”
adj
1
Having formally agreed to marry someone.
"They got engaged after five years together."
"Her brother is engaged to a girl he met at university."
"We are engaged and hope to marry next year."
2
Busy, occupied, or deeply interested in something.
"She was fully engaged in the discussion."
"The students were so engaged in the experiment that they missed lunch."
"I'm afraid the director is engaged at the moment; can I take a message?"
3
(UK, of a phone line) Already in use.
"I tried calling twice, but the line was engaged."
"Every time I rang the helpline, it was engaged."
"The number is engaged, so try again in a few minutes."
How to use engaged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCommitted to marry, busy/interested, or (for a phone) already in use.
UK vs US
"Engaged" for a busy phone line is British English; American English says "busy."
Common pairings
get engaged
fully engaged
engaged couple
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They got _____ after five years together.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for engaged
See all rhymes for engaged →Frequently asked questions
What does “engaged” mean?
The word “engaged” means having formally agreed to marry someone. In plain terms, committed to marry, busy/interested, or (for a phone) already in use.
How do you pronounce “engaged”?
“Engaged” is pronounced ihn-GAYJD (/ɪnˈɡeɪd͡ʒd/ in IPA).
How do you use “engaged” in a sentence?
Here is “engaged” used in a sentence: “They got engaged after five years together.”
What part of speech is “engaged”?
“Engaged” is an adjective.
Is “engaged” a common word?
“Engaged” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “engaged” have?
“Engaged” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having formally agreed to marry someone.
What does it mean to be engaged?
To be engaged means two people have formally agreed to marry, usually marking the promise with a proposal and often a ring. The engagement is the period between agreeing to marry and the wedding itself. It signals a public, serious commitment to building a future together.
What is the difference between engaged and married?
Being engaged means a couple has agreed to marry but has not yet done so — they are still planning the wedding. Being married means the marriage has legally and formally taken place. Engagement is the promise; marriage is the fulfilment of it. One always comes before the other.
Does "engaged" have other meanings?
Yes. Apart from agreeing to marry, engaged can mean busy or occupied — a person engaged in work — or, in British English, that a phone line or toilet is in use. It can also mean actively involved or interested. Context makes clear which sense applies each time.
What is the opposite of engaged in the marriage sense?
In the marriage sense, the opposite is single, unattached, or unengaged — not committed to marry anyone. Someone whose engagement has ended may say it was broken off. These terms all describe the absence of the formal promise to marry that being engaged represents.
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