engaging
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- engagingly adverb
- engagingness noun
- quasi-engaging adjective
- quasi-engagingly adverb
- unengaging adjective
Etymology
Origin of engaging
Explanation
A story, song, or person that is engaging is entertaining, fun, and interesting — you want to see or hear more. To remember the meaning of engaging, it might help to think of what engaged means. When a couple is engaged, they've agreed to get married. When something or somebody is engaging, you want to spend more time with them too. Boring is the complete opposite of engaging. Think of your favorite movie or TV show — especially one you can't stop watching — it must be very engaging.
Vocabulary lists containing engaging
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In her company, Julian sheds most of his ego, engaging in intellectual tête-à-têtes about his past works and whether a forgery can ever really capture an artist’s intention and energy.
From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026
"Our findings are encouraging, suggesting that consistently engaging in a variety of mentally stimulating activities throughout life may make a difference in cognition," said Zammit.
From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026
Despite the public hard line from both sides, the two combatants are actively engaging with mediators and open to talks if each shows enough flexibility, the officials said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
Streams that began as focused chess sessions gradually loosened into something more freewheeling, with Raina interspersing gameplay with jokes and self-deprecating commentary, often engaging directly with the live chat.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
“Pah. Even the Scourge of the East would think twice about engaging both the Crux and the Current. He might even take out the Beauty and rid us of the competition.”
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.