- 1 (formal) busy doing something engaged (in something) They are engaged in talks with the Irish government. They were engaged in conversation. engaged (on something) He is now engaged on his second novel. I can't come to dinner on Tuesday—I'm otherwise engaged (= I have already arranged to do something else). Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe adverbdeeply, heavily, fully, … prepositionin, on, with, … See full entry
- 2 having agreed to marry somebody When did you get engaged? an engaged couple engaged to somebody She's engaged to Peter. They are engaged to be married (= to each other). Wordfinderweddingbest man, bride, ceremony, engaged, honeymoon, marriage, propose, reception, stag night, wedding CollocationsMarriage and divorceRomance fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with somebody) be/believe in/fall in love at first sight be/find true love/the love of your life suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for somebody/something meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend have/go on a (blind) date be going out with/(especially North American English) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partnerWeddings get/be engaged/married/divorced arrange/plan a wedding have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage have/enter into an arranged marriage call off/cancel/postpone your wedding invite somebody to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception conduct/perform a wedding ceremony exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband) celebrate your first (wedding) anniversarySeparation and divorce be unfaithful to/(informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend have an affair (with somebody) break off/end an engagement/a relationship break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife annul/dissolve a marriage apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband) Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, become, get, … adverbhappily, newly, recently, … prepositionto phrasesengaged to be married See full entry See related entries: Marriage
- 3 (British English) (North American English busy) (of a telephone line) being used I couldn't get through—the line's engaged. I phoned earlier but you were engaged (= using your phone). the engaged tone/signal Wordfindercallarea code, call, dial, engaged, hold, line, message, phone, ring, voicemail CollocationsPhonesMaking and receiving phone calls the phone/telephone rings answer/pick up/hang up the phone/telephone lift/pick up/hold/replace the receiver dial a (phone/extension/wrong) number/an area code call somebody/talk (to somebody)/speak (to somebody) on the phone/telephone; from home/work/the office make/get/receive a phone call take the phone off the hook (= remove the receiver so that the phone does not ring) the line is (British English) engaged/ (especially North American English) busy the phones have been (North American English) ringing off the hook (= ringing frequently) put somebody through/get through to the person you want to speak to put somebody on hold (= so that they must wait for the person they want to speak to) call from/use a landlineMobile/cell phones be/talk on a (both British English) mobile phone/mobile/(especially North American English) cell phone/(informal, especially North American English) cell use/answer/call (somebody on)/get a message on your mobile phone/mobile/cell phone/cell switch/turn on/off your mobile phone/mobile/cell phone/cell charge/recharge your mobile phone/mobile/cell phone/cell a mobile/cell phone is on/is off/rings/goes off (British English) top up your mobile (phone) send/receive a text (message)/an SMS (message)/a fax insert/remove/change a SIM card See related entries: Making calls
- 4 (British English) (of a public toilet/bathroom) being used opposite vacant Extra examples He is actively engaged on several projects. I’m afraid Mr Wilson cannot see you now as he is otherwise engaged. Mrs Scott is engaged with a customer at the moment. She was engaged in conversation with a client. She’s engaged to an actor. The couple got engaged last month. We need to become more engaged with our history as a nation. those who are deeply engaged in party politics I can’t come to dinner on Tuesday—I’m otherwise engaged.
Check pronunciation: engaged
