engaged

[ en-geyjd ]
/ ɛnˈgeɪdʒd /

adjective

busy or occupied; involved: deeply engaged in conversation.
pledged to be married; betrothed: an engaged couple.
under engagement; pledged: an engaged contractor.
entered into conflict with: desperately engaged armies.
Mechanics.
  1. interlocked.
  2. (of wheels) in gear with each other.
Architecture. (of a distinct member) built so as to be truly or seemingly attached in part to the structure before which it stands: an engaged column.

Origin of engaged

First recorded in 1605–15; engage + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM engaged

en·gag·ed·ly [en-gey-jid-lee, -geyjd-] /ɛnˈgeɪ dʒɪd li, -ˈgeɪdʒd-/, adverb en·gag·ed·ness, noun un·en·gaged, adjective

Definition for engaged (2 of 2)

engage
[ en-geyj ]
/ ɛnˈgeɪdʒ /

verb (used with object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.

verb (used without object), en·gaged, en·gag·ing.

Origin of engage

1515–25; < Middle French engager, Old French engagier. See en-1, gage1

OTHER WORDS FROM engage

en·gag·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for engaged

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (1 of 3)

engaged
/ (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd) /

adjective

pledged to be married; betrothed
employed, occupied, or busy
architect built against or attached to a wall or similar structure an engaged column
(of a telephone line) already in use

Derived forms of engaged

engagedly (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪdlɪ), adverb

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (2 of 3)

engage
/ (ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ) /

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of engage

engager, noun

Word Origin for engage

C15: from Old French engagier, from en- 1 + gage a pledge, see gage 1

British Dictionary definitions for engaged (3 of 3)

engagé
/ French (ɑ̃ɡaʒe) /

adjective

(of a writer or artist, esp a man) morally or politically committed to some ideology