engaged

[ en-geyjd ]

adjective

1. busy or occupied; involved:

   deeply engaged in conversation.

2. pledged to be married; betrothed:

   an engaged couple.

3. under engagement; pledged:

   an engaged contractor.

4. entered into conflict with:

   desperately engaged armies.

5. Mechanics.
   1. interlocked.
   2. (of wheels) in gear with each other.
6. 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.

engaged

/ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪdlɪ; ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd /

adjective

1. pledged to be married; betrothed
2. employed, occupied, or busy
3. architect built against or attached to a wall or similar structure

   an engaged column

4. (of a telephone line) already in use

Derived Forms

• engagedly, adverb

Other Words From

• en·gag·ed·ly [en-, gey, -jid-lee, -, geyjd, -], adverb
• en·gaged·ness noun
• unen·gaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of engaged¹

First recorded in 1605–15; engage + -ed ²

Example Sentences

I won’t forget such cruelty, but in my struggle to stay engaged, I will seek out humor as needed.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s about the only way I’ve been able to stay engaged and remain an upright, arguably functioning human.

From Los Angeles Times

Through it all, James was terrific, keeping the Lakers engaged and in the game even when it teetered.

From Los Angeles Times

The separate investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which will now be closed out, was considering whether Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use” or “sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct,” among other things, the committee said in June.

From Los Angeles Times

But he does have experience with the DOJ: In 2021, a Justice Department investigation probed whether Gaetz had engaged in sexual acts with a 17-year-old girl and then paid her to travel with him.

From Slate

Related Words

• absorbed
• committed
• employed
• engrossed
• interested
• involved
• occupied
• preoccupied
• working