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en·gage | \ in-ˈgāj 
, en- \
, en- \engaged; engaging
Definition of engage
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to offer (something, such as one's life or word) as backing to a cause or aim : to expose to risk for the attainment or support of some end
engaged his all in the king's cause
2a obsolete : to entangle or entrap in or as if in a snare or bog
b : to attract and hold by influence or power
3 : to bind (someone, such as oneself) to do something especially : to bind by a pledge to marry
4a : to provide occupation for : involve engage him in a new project
b : to arrange to obtain the use or services of : hire engage a lawyer
5a : to hold the attention of : engross her work engages her completely
b : to induce to participate
engaged the shy boy in conversation
6a : to enter into contest or battle with
engage the enemy
b : to bring together or interlock (weapons)
7 : to deal with especially at length
1a : to pledge oneself : promise
b : to make a guarantee
he engages for the honesty of his brother
2a : to begin and carry on an enterprise or activity
—used with inengaged in trade for many years
b : to do or take part in something
—used with inengage in healthy activitiesengage in bad conduct
c : to give attention to something : deal failing to engage with the problem
3 : to enter into conflict or battle
4 : to come together and interlock
the gears engaged
engagé
adjectiveen·ga·gé | \ ˌäⁿ-ˌgä-ˈzhā \
\Definition of engagé (Entry 2 of 2)
: committed to or supportive of a cause
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Synonyms for engage
Synonyms: Verb
- absorb,
- bemuse,
- busy,
- catch up,
- engross,
- enthrall
- (or enthral),
- enwrap,
- fascinate,
- grip,
- immerse,
- interest,
- intrigue,
- involve,
- occupy
Examples of engage in a Sentence
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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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders.
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Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, "Everything you need to know for NFL's Thanksgiving games: Breaking down 3 matchups," 28 Nov. 2019 The couple got engaged in June 2017 in Lake Como, Italy and married three months later in a small ceremony in Santa Barbara, California, according to People.
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Marie Milano, Country Living, "How Troy Aikman and His Wife Capa Mooty Make Their Blended Family Work," 28 Nov. 2019 Along with the Knight Foundation grant, the company doubled in size to 51 employees and is now engaging with 6 million voters/subscribers.
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Melanie Eversley, Fortune, "Can an App Drive More Voters to the Polls in 2020? This Entrepreneur Has High Hopes It Will," 27 Nov. 2019 Explore how to identify or create a networking opportunity and effectively engage during a networking opportunity.
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courant.com, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 27 Nov. 2019 Players engage spatial reasoning and strategic thinking skills, and persistence and debugging pay off to get the blocks to fit just right.
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Michelle Z. Donahue, Smithsonian, "The Ten Best STEM Toys to Give as Gifts in 2019," 26 Nov. 2019 After an on-again off-again romance, Tinsley Mortimer and Scott Kluth are engaged.
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Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Tinsley Mortimer of Real Housewives of New York Is Engaged to Scott Kluth," 26 Nov. 2019 Supporting the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is especially important for securing the funds that will keep these programs going and keep our kids engaged in school, out of trouble, and on track for productive lives.
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Tony Spurlock, The Denver Post, "Tony Spurlock: Congress must continue funding for after school programs that help Colorado kids," 25 Nov. 2019 Davidson was, of course, previously engaged to Ariana Grande, and was more recently linked to Kate Beckinsale and Margaret Qualley.
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Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kaia Gerber and Pete Davidson Just Held Hands at a Friend's Wedding," 24 Nov. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'engage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for engage
engage
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of engage
formal : to hire (someone) to perform a particular service : to pay for (help, services, etc.)
: to get and keep (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
: to start fighting against (an opponent)
See the full definition for engage in the English Language Learners Dictionary
engage
verben·gage | \ in-ˈgāj \
\engaged; engaging
Kids Definition of engage
1 : to catch and keep fixed (as someone's attention)
The story engaged my interest.
2 : to take part in or cause to take part in something
He engages in many school activities.
3 : to enter into contest or battle with
Soldiers engaged the enemy.
4 : to arrange for the services or use of : employ I suggest you engage a lawyer.
5 : mesh The gears engaged.
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Comments on engage
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Time Traveler for engage
The first known use of engage was in the 15th century
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