Engagement

ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt

nounmedium🔥Very CommonAction
4 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

The state of being involved with something, or the act of doing something.

ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt

nounneutralmedium
Action

The act of becoming involved or occupied; participation.

The project's success depended on high levels of stakeholder engagement.

💡 Simply: Think of being super into a hobby, like building Lego sets. Engagement is like being so focused and involved that time flies!

👶 For kids: When you're really interested and busy doing something, like playing with your toys or reading a book.

More Examples

2

The museum offers various programs to increase visitor engagement.

3

The company is looking for ways to improve customer engagement.

How It's Used

Social

"Community engagement is crucial for local development."

Business

"Employee engagement can improve productivity and retention."

2

An appointment; a scheduled meeting or social occasion.

ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt

nounneutralBeginner
Action

An appointment for a meeting or a date.

She had an engagement that evening and had to leave early.

💡 Simply: Like when you have an appointment, like to go to the doctor or meet a friend. It's something you're scheduled to do!

👶 For kids: When you have something you need to do at a certain time, like going to the park or visiting Grandma.

More Examples

2

He cancelled the engagement due to a sudden illness.

3

The president had a busy schedule filled with official engagements.

How It's Used

Social

"I have an engagement with the dentist at 2 PM."

Professional

"The consultant had multiple engagements lined up."

Tip:Think of the word like planning the social occasion with somebody, like a business meeting or a date.
3

The state of being betrothed; the act of agreeing to marry someone.

ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt

nounpositiveBeginner
Relationship

A formal agreement to marry; betrothal.

The couple celebrated their engagement with a party.

💡 Simply: When a couple decides they're going to get married! It's like a promise to be together forever.

👶 For kids: When two people decide they are going to get married.

More Examples

2

She showed off her engagement ring to all her friends.

3

The engagement lasted for two years before they got married.

How It's Used

Social

"They announced their engagement at the family dinner."

Romance

"The ring symbolized their commitment to their engagement."

Tip:Think of the time before a wedding when two people are committed to get married.
4

A battle or a military encounter.

ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt

nounneutralmedium
Conflict

A battle or conflict.

The engagement lasted for several hours.

💡 Simply: When armies fight each other. It's the moment when the battle begins!

👶 For kids: When two groups of people or teams are fighting or competing with each other.

More Examples

2

The engagement resulted in heavy casualties.

3

The general was preparing for the upcoming engagement.

How It's Used

Military

"The soldiers prepared for their first engagement."

Historical

"The Battle of Hastings was a significant engagement."

Tip:Visualize the battlefield during a battle.

Idioms & expressions

to be engaged in something

To be occupied with or participating in something.

"She is engaged in a new project."

engaged to be married

Formally committed to marry.

"They are engaged to be married."

engagement ring

A ring given to someone when they are asked to marry.

"She showed off her beautiful engagement ring."

From Middle French *engagement*, derived from *engager* 'to pledge, involve', from Old French *engagier*, ultimately from *gage* 'pledge'.

The word 'engagement' has been used since the 17th century, originally referring to a pledge or promise. Its meaning evolved to encompass social commitments, military actions, and the formal agreement to marry.

Memory tip

Think of being engaged in an activity, like a game or a conversation. It's about active participation.

Word Origin

LanguageFrench
Original meaning

"To pledge, involve"

customer engagementemployee engagementsocial engagementformal engagementmilitary engagementwedding engagementbusiness engagementcommunity engagementclose engagement

Common misspellings

engagmentengadgementengadgment

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written