Definition

1. Verb:

   • To hire or engage someone for work: To give a job to someone, typically in exchange for payment.
   • To use or apply something: To make use of a tool, method, skill, or resource for a specific purpose.

2. Noun (less common):

   • The state of being employed; employment: The condition of having paid work.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Hire):

  • The company plans to employ five new engineers this year.
  • She was employed as a consultant for the project.

• Verb (Use):

  • The artist employs various techniques to create texture.
  • You should employ caution when handling chemicals.

• Noun:

  • He has been in the employ of the same firm for twenty years. (Formal)

Advanced Usage

• "to employ oneself in/with something": To keep oneself busy with a task or activity.

  • After retiring, he employed himself in gardening and writing.

• "to be employed in doing something": To be occupied with a specific action.

  • She is employed in compiling the annual report.

Variants and Related Words

• Employment (n): The act of employing or the state of being employed; one's job or profession.
  • Full employment is a key economic goal.
• Employee (n): A person employed for wages or salary.
  • All employees must attend the safety briefing.
• Employer (n): A person or organization that employs people.
  • My employer offers excellent benefits.
• Employable (adj): Fit or suitable to be employed.
  • The training program aims to make participants more employable.

Synonyms

• Hire, Engage, Recruit (for the "hire" meaning).
• Use, Utilize, Apply, Make use of (for the "use" meaning).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Employ" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The related concepts are typically expressed with the noun "employment" or the verb "use.")

Related Idioms

• In the employ of (someone/something): Working for a particular person or organization. (Formal)
  • The agent was in the employ of a foreign government.

Noun

1. the state of being employed or having a job
   • they are looking for employment
   • he was in the employ of the city

Verb

1. engage or hire for work
   • They hired two new secretaries in the department
   • How many people has she employed?
2. put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
   • use your head!
   • we only use Spanish at home
   • I can't use this tool
   • Apply a magnetic field here
   • This thinking was applied to many projects
   • How do you utilize this tool?
   • I apply this rule to get good results
   • use the plastic bags to store the food
   • He doesn't know how to use a computer