engage
engage — verb
1. to formally arrange for a person or organisation to carry out a specific task, u
to formally arrange for a person or organisation to carry out a specific task, usually in exchange for payment
The museum engaged a local artist to paint a mural for the new gallery wing.
engage + person + to-infinitive for hiring
Bilal's company engaged a law firm to handle the contract negotiations.
The school board voted to engage a consultant to review the science curriculum.
We engaged a guide who could lead the hiking tour in both Mandarin and English.
The orchestra engaged three guest musicians for the summer concert series.
文法句型
engage + person/company + to-infinitive
engage + person/company + as + role
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than 'hire'. Use it for professional services (lawyers, consultants, artists) rather than hourly or casual workers.
常見錯誤
2. to catch and hold someone's interest or attention so that they keep thinking abo
to catch and hold someone's interest or attention so that they keep thinking about or focusing on something
The teacher's hands-on science experiment engaged every student in the room.
engage + audience group
Rodrigo found that the novel's opening chapter engaged him immediately.
Good educational apps manage to engage children while they are learning new skills.
The documentary about ocean pollution engaged viewers of all ages.
Speakers who tell personal stories engage an audience better than those who only list facts.
- bore
to fail to hold attention; to make someone lose interest
文法句型
engage + someone
be engaged by + something
用法筆記
Commonly used in passive form: 'I was completely engaged by the performance.' Objects are usually mental activities: audience, readers, students, viewers.
常見錯誤
3. to take part in an activity or to actively connect with a person, group, or topi
to take part in an activity or to actively connect with a person, group, or topic
Students who engage in classroom discussions usually understand the material better.
engage in + activity
Devika tries to engage with colleagues who hold very different opinions from hers.
engage with + person
The charity works hard to engage with communities that lack access to basic services.
Scientists must engage with new findings to keep their research relevant and accurate.
The politician promised to engage more directly with young voters ahead of the election.
- participate in
more neutral; can replace 'engage in' in most contexts
- get involved in
less formal; suggests personal commitment
- interact with
focuses on two-way communication
文法句型
engage in + activity
engage with + person/topic
用法筆記
Unlike CAPTURE ATTENTION (sense 2), this sense is usually intransitive and requires a preposition ('engage in' for activities; 'engage with' for people or ideas). 'Engage in' can sound formal — 'take part in' is simpler.
常見錯誤
4. to cause mechanical parts to fit together and begin moving together, or for part
to cause mechanical parts to fit together and begin moving together, or for parts to fit together in this way
Otis pushed the lever forward and the gears engaged with a smooth click.
The mechanic listened carefully to hear whether the engine parts were engaging properly.
intransitive: parts engage
When you press the clutch pedal, the gear teeth separate before engaging again.
Erik carefully engaged the parking brake before getting out of the truck.
The bicycle chain must engage properly with both sprockets for the bike to run smoothly.
- disengage
to separate mechanical parts so they stop moving together
文法句型
engage + mechanical part
part + engages (intransitive)
engage + a/the + gear/clutch/brake
用法筆記
The antonym is 'disengage'. This sense belongs almost exclusively to machinery contexts — do not use for people or abstract concepts.
常見錯誤
5. to start fighting an opposing military force, or to enter into combat with an en
to start fighting an opposing military force, or to enter into combat with an enemy
The general ordered the ground troops to engage the enemy before sunrise.
transitive: engage + enemy
The two armies engaged in fierce combat just outside the capital city.
intransitive: engage in + combat
Naval warships were sent to engage the pirate vessels near the coast of Somalia.
Jabari's unit had strict orders not to engage unless attacked directly.
The patrol engaged with hostile fighters on three separate occasions during the deployment.
- fight
everyday alternative; broader in usage
- clash with
often used in news reports; suggests a shorter, more intense encounter
- do battle with
more formal or literary tone
文法句型
engage + enemy/force (transitive)
engage in + combat/battle (intransitive)
用法筆記
Restricted to military or combat contexts. In sports or arguments, use 'face' or 'take on' instead — 'engage' would sound unnatural.
常見錯誤
6. to keep someone occupied with an activity, or to teach a group of people (especi
to keep someone occupied with an activity, or to teach a group of people (especially children) by having them actively participate
The summer camp engaged the children in art projects, music, and outdoor games.
engage + someone + in + activity
Anong engaged her literature class in a lively debate about the novel's main themes.
The babysitter engaged the toddler with building blocks and simple puzzles.
Teachers need strategies that engage students throughout the entire lesson.
Benjamin engaged his younger brother in building a model spaceship out of cardboard boxes.
- idle
to do nothing; be inactive (though rarely transitive)
文法句型
engage + someone + in + activity
用法筆記
Overlaps with sense 2 (CAPTURE ATTENTION) but focuses on DOING an activity rather than just thinking about it. 'Engage the children in painting' means occupy them with painting, not just interest them in it.
常見錯誤
engage — adjective
1. strongly interested in and actively involved with political or social issues, es
strongly interested in and actively involved with political or social issues, especially describing creative professionals such as writers, musicians, or artists
The poet was widely regarded as a deeply engaged writer who protested injustice.
deeply/highly/politically engaged
Many engaged musicians use their concert tours to raise awareness about poverty.
The gallery featured the work of engaged artists from across Latin America.
An engaged filmmaker often chooses topics that challenge the audience politically.
Christopher admired the novelist as an engaged intellectual who spoke on urgent issues.
- committed
broader; can apply to any cause, not just politics
- active
simpler and more general; 'politically active' is the everyday synonym
- politically involved
explicitly names the political dimension
- apolitical
not interested in or concerned with politics
- detached
emotionally or intellectually uninvolved
文法句型
engaged + noun (writer/artist/citizen)
deeply/highly/politically engaged
用法筆記
This sense is borrowed from French (engagé) and is most common in discussions of art and culture. It always implies a deliberate, public stance, not just private interest.