26984 words

engaged

9 definitions • 14 examples
1
having formally agreed to marry:

Examples:

get engaged Debbie and Christa have just got engaged.
engaged to She was engaged to some guy in the army.
engaged to be married formal They're engaged to be married in June.
2
involved in something:

Examples:

engaged in They've been engaged in a legal battle with the council for several months.
engaged on/upon She's part of a team of scientists who are engaged on/upon cancer research.
3
busy doing something:

Examples:

otherwise engaged I'd come to the meeting on Tuesday but I'm afraid I'm otherwise engaged (= doing something else).
4
If a phone or public toilet is engaged, someone is already using it:

Examples:

Every time I call her, she/the phone/the number is engaged.
get the engaged tone UK I've been trying to call him all evening, but I keep getting the engaged tone.
The sign on the toilet door said "Engaged".
5
publicly promising that you intend to marry someone:

Examples:

They decided to get engaged.
6
if a telephone is engaged, someone is already using it:

Examples:

Customers calling to book tickets found the line was constantly engaged.
7
busy doing something:

Examples:

The president is currently engaged but you can meet with his deputy.
8
to be working as something:

Examples:

At that time she was engaged as an adviser to several government departments.
9
to be involved in something:

Examples:

The broadcaster is engaged in a complex legal battle over a failed joint venture.

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