Engagé is the past participle of the French verb engager, meaning "to engage." The French have used "engagé" since the 19th century to describe socially or politically active people. The term became particularly fashionable in the wake of World War II, when French writers, artists, and intellectuals felt it was increasingly important for them to take a stand on political or social issues and represent their attitudes in their art. By 1946, English speakers had adopted the word for their own politically relevant writing or art, and within a short time "engagé" was being used generally for any passionate commitment to a cause.
Verb
He was engaged as a tutor.
He sure can engage an audience.
The story engaged my interest.
The troops prepared to engage the enemy.
The troops prepared to engage with the enemy.
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Verb
They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment.—
Pascal Vrticka,
Scientific American,
4 Oct. 2026 An ‘apathetic polarization’ The vote comes at a time of deep polarization among the electorate, who are slower to engage than in previous races.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2026 The Air Force wants a fighter that is a dedicated air superiority interceptor while the Navy needs a multi-role fighter that can operate from carriers, conduct strike missions, and engage surface targets.—New Atlas,
4 Oct. 2026 Ironically, the one spot where Dearborn Park genuinely engages the cityscape is along the west side of State south of Roosevelt where a row of single-family homes follows Chicago’s typical development pattern.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engage
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French engager, from en- + gage pledge, gage
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