engage

/in'geidʤ/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
engage

She engaged the gears before driving away.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To hire or employ someone for work or services: To formally arrange for a person's services, often for payment.
    • To occupy or attract someone's attention or interest: To capture and hold someone's focus or involvement.
    • To participate or become involved in an activity: To take part in or commit to a specific action or process.
    • To enter into a formal agreement or promise, especially to marry: To pledge or commit, as in a betrothal.
    • To cause parts to interlock or mesh (mechanical): To cause gears or components to connect and work together.
    • To begin fighting with an enemy (military): To start a battle or conflict.
Examples of Usage
  • Verb:
    • The company decided to engage a new consultant for the project. (To hire)
    • The teacher's story engaged the students completely. (To occupy attention)
    • He engaged in a long debate about climate policy. (To participate in)
    • They got engaged last summer and are planning a wedding. (To promise to marry)
    • Remember to engage the parking brake before you leave the car. (To cause to interlock)
    • The two armies engaged at dawn. (To begin fighting)
Advanced Usage
  • "to engage someone in conversation": to start or involve someone in a discussion.
    • She tried to engage the shy guest in conversation.
  • "to engage with an idea/a text": to interact with or think deeply about something.
    • The course encourages students to engage with primary historical sources.
  • "to be engaged in": to be busy with or involved in an activity.
    • He was engaged in writing his report all afternoon.
Variants and Related Words
  • Engaged (adjective): Busy; occupied; or formally pledged to be married.
    • The line is engaged; please call back later.
    • She is engaged to a doctor.
  • Engagement (noun): A formal agreement to get married; an appointment or arrangement; or a period of hired employment.
    • They announced their engagement.
    • I have a prior engagement on Tuesday.
  • Engaging (adjective): Charming and attractive, often holding interest.
    • He has a very engaging personality.
Synonyms
  • Employ/Hire: To use the services of someone for payment.
  • Involve: To include as a necessary part or result.
  • Absorb: To engross the attention of someone fully.
  • Participate: To take part in an activity.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Engage in: To participate or become involved in.
    • The government refuses to engage in talks with the terrorists.
  • Engage with: To interact with or pay attention to.
    • Politicians must engage with the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Related Idioms
  • Engage brain before mouth: (Humorous) Think before you speak.
    • Sometimes you need to engage brain before mouth to avoid trouble.
engage

She engaged the gears before driving away.

Verb
  1. keep engaged
    • engaged the gears
  2. engage for service under a term of contract
    • We took an apartment on a quiet street
    • Let's rent a car
    • Shall we take a guide in Rome?
  3. hire for work or assistance
    • engage aid, help, services, or support
  4. carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
    • Napoleon and Hitler waged war against all of Europe
  5. get caught
    • make sure the gear is engaged
  6. give to in marriage
  7. ask to represent; of legal counsel
    • I'm retaining a lawyer
  8. engage or hire for work
    • They hired two new secretaries in the department
    • How many people has she employed?
  9. consume all of one's attention or time
    • Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely
  10. carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
    • She pursued many activities
    • They engaged in a discussion