engagement
ihn-GAYJ-muhnt
Engagement (noun) means a formal agreement to marry, or the period before a wedding. Example: “They announced their engagement at the family dinner.”
noun
1
A formal agreement to marry, or the period before a wedding.
"They announced their engagement at the family dinner."
"Their engagement lasted a year while they planned a small wedding."
"She showed off her engagement ring to all her friends."
2
A scheduled appointment or commitment, especially to perform or speak.
"The band has a full calendar of engagements this summer."
"I cannot meet you then because I have a prior engagement."
"The author has several speaking engagements at book festivals this autumn."
3
A period of active fighting between opposing forces.
"The battle began with a brief engagement at the river."
"The two ships had a short engagement in the narrow strait."
"Historians described the engagement as a small clash that lasted only an hour."
4
The level of interest and interaction someone shows with content, such as on social media.
"The post generated a huge amount of engagement online."
"Short videos tend to get more engagement than long written posts."
"The brand tracks likes and comments to measure engagement with its page."
How to use engagement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA commitment to marry, a scheduled event, a military clash, or (online) audience interaction.
Common pairings
engagement ring
speaking engagement
social media engagement
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Word forms
- Plural
- engagements
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They announced their _____ at the family dinner.
Etymology
From French engagement, from engage plus -ment.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for engagement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for engagement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “engagement” mean?
The word “engagement” means a formal agreement to marry, or the period before a wedding. In plain terms, a commitment to marry, a scheduled event, a military clash, or (online) audience interaction.
How do you pronounce “engagement”?
“Engagement” is pronounced ihn-GAYJ-muhnt (/ɪnˈɡeɪd͡ʒ.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “engagement” in a sentence?
Here is “engagement” used in a sentence: “They announced their engagement at the family dinner.”
What is another word for “engagement”?
Words with a similar meaning to “engagement” include commitment and action.
What is the opposite of “engagement”?
The opposite of “engagement” — its antonyms — are apathy and disengagement.
What part of speech is “engagement”?
“Engagement” is a noun.
Where does the word “engagement” come from?
The word “engagement” comes from French. From French engagement, from engage plus -ment.
Is “engagement” a common word?
“Engagement” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an engagement and a wedding?
An engagement is the formal agreement to marry and the period of being promised before the marriage takes place. A wedding is the actual ceremony at which the couple marries, so the engagement comes first and the wedding follows.
What is the difference between an engagement and an appointment?
Both can mean a scheduled commitment, but 'engagement' often refers to a booked event where someone performs, speaks, or appears, such as a concert or lecture. 'Appointment' is more general and usually refers to an arranged meeting at a set time, such as with a doctor.
What is a 'speaking engagement'?
A 'speaking engagement' is a scheduled commitment to give a talk or presentation to an audience. It uses the sense of 'engagement' as an arranged appointment, especially one to perform or speak in public.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing engagement in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Engagement counts actions rather than attention, which is why a post that provokes an argument can outscore one people quietly enjoyed.
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