engagement
/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈgāj-mənt en-/ (ame, mw)
engagement — noun
- engagementsingular
- engagementsplural
1. a formal agreement between two people to get married, or the period of time duri
a formal agreement between two people to get married, or the period of time during which they plan the wedding before the ceremony takes place.
Roya and Asher announced their engagement at a family gathering in Taipei.
announced their engagement (common verb + noun pair)
The couple's engagement lasted eighteen months while they planned the wedding.
Elise admired the diamond on her engagement ring every morning.
The newspaper published a photo of the couple's engagement announcement.
- breakup
refers to the end of a romantic relationship before or without a formal engagement
文法句型
engagement + to + person
announce + engagement
engagement + ring
用法筆記
Often used in the phrase 'engagement to [someone]' (e.g., 'her engagement to a lawyer'). The noun already implies marriage, so 'engagement to marry' is redundant.
常見錯誤
2. a planned meeting or event that someone has arranged to attend, especially one c
a planned meeting or event that someone has arranged to attend, especially one connected with their work or an official duty.
The director had a prior engagement and sent her deputy instead.
prior engagement (formal fixed phrase for declining invitations)
Owen's calendar listed three client engagements across two cities this week.
Rachel canceled her speaking engagement at the conference due to a family emergency.
The ambassador's public engagements included a lunch with local business leaders.
- appointment
less formal; used for routine bookings like doctors, hairdressers
- commitment
broader — any obligation on your time, not just a scheduled meeting
- date
more informal; can be social or romantic
文法句型
have + engagement
prior/previous + engagement
speaking + engagement
用法筆記
This sense sounds quite formal. In everyday conversation, 'appointment' (for doctors, hairdressers, etc.) or 'meeting' (for work) is more natural. 'Engagement' is most common in polite refusals ('a prior engagement') and formal event listings.
常見錯誤
3. a short fight between military forces, especially one that happens as part of a
a short fight between military forces, especially one that happens as part of a larger war.
The naval engagement lasted only forty minutes before the enemy retreated.
naval engagement (military collocation for sea battles)
Both divisions lost several soldiers in the brief engagement near the river.
Adisa's regiment prepared for its first engagement with the opposing forces.
The general avoided a direct engagement and ordered a retreat instead.
- truce
an agreement to stop fighting temporarily
文法句型
engagement + between + forces
engagement + with + enemy
用法筆記
In military contexts, an 'engagement' is typically smaller and shorter than a 'battle'. The word is also used in phrases like 'rules of engagement', which set the conditions for when soldiers may open fire.
常見錯誤
4. the state of being actively involved in something and giving it your attention,
the state of being actively involved in something and giving it your attention, interest, or emotional energy.
The course demands active engagement with primary source texts.
active engagement with (academic pattern for student involvement)
Gabriela's deep engagement with the refugee program earned her a community award.
deep engagement with (strong commitment pattern)
The workshop encouraged genuine engagement from every participant.
The teacher praised Ritu for her thoughtful engagement with the topic.
- involvement
more general; does not necessarily imply emotional or intellectual investment
- participation
emphasizes taking part in activities rather than mental or emotional connection
- commitment
stronger sense of duty and dedication to a cause or relationship
- apathy
lack of interest or emotional involvement
文法句型
engagement + with + topic/community
engagement + in + activity
deep/active + engagement
用法筆記
Common in academic and professional writing. 'Engagement with' is followed by a topic, text, or community. 'Engagement in' is followed by an activity. This sense implies a deeper connection than simple 'involvement'.
常見錯誤
5. the process of building and maintaining people's interest in a company, organiza
the process of building and maintaining people's interest in a company, organization, or cause, especially through communication and shared activities.
The company launched a loyalty program to improve customer engagement.
customer engagement (key business term)
High employee engagement correlates with lower staff turnover and better results.
employee engagement (HR term for workforce commitment)
The charity's community engagement drive attracted over three hundred volunteers.
The brand uses social media to drive customer engagement and brand loyalty.
- participation
more active and event-focused; less about ongoing relationship
- involvement
broader and less strategic; can be passive
- disengagement
the state of losing interest or no longer being involved
文法句型
customer + engagement
employee + engagement
community + engagement
用法筆記
This business sense is almost always used in compound noun phrases. 'Customer engagement' refers to ongoing interaction between a brand and its customers. 'Employee engagement' measures workers' emotional commitment to their organization.
常見錯誤
6. the number of times people like, comment on, share, or otherwise react to a piec
the number of times people like, comment on, share, or otherwise react to a piece of online content such as a social media post or a blog article.
The post received over two thousand engagements within the first hour.
number + engagements (countable online usage)
Naoko tracks her blog's engagement rate to see which recipes perform best.
engagement rate (social media analytics term)
Apinya measures engagement through likes, comments, and shares on each post.
Defne's travel videos consistently generate high engagement from her followers.
- interaction
more general; can include any two-way communication, not just online
- response
focuses on reactions to specific content rather than ongoing relationship with an audience
文法句型
number + engagements
engagement + rate
social media + engagement
用法筆記
In social media contexts, 'engagement' can be countable ('500 engagements' = 500 individual interactions) or uncountable ('high engagement' = the general level of interaction). The 'engagement rate' is a percentage comparing interactions to total followers or views.
常見錯誤
7. a period of paid work, especially for a performer such as a musician, actor, or
a period of paid work, especially for a performer such as a musician, actor, or dancer, at a particular venue or for a particular event.
The pianist completed a successful two-week engagement at the Vienna concert hall.
duration + engagement at + venue (typical performer booking pattern)
The dance company secured a six-month engagement at a Broadway theater.
six-month engagement (duration collocation for contracts)
Manuela signed an engagement as the lead vocalist for the summer tour.
The orchestra offered Roya a three-month engagement as the guest conductor.
文法句型
engagement + as + role
engagement + at + venue
duration + engagement
用法筆記
This sense is most commonly used for performers (musicians, actors, dancers) and for guest speakers ('speaking engagement'). For regular office jobs, use 'employment' or 'position' instead.