B2verb 1K

Engage

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪz/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪz/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Engage

to succeed in attracting and keeping somebody’s attention and interest

In simple words: To participate in something or attract someone's attention.

Engage in a sentence

• We need to engage the audience with our presentation to keep their attention.
• The company's goal is to engage more customers through social media.
• It’s important to engage in conversations about important issues.
• He decided to engage a lawyer to help with his legal issues.
• The two countries agreed to engage in discussions for peace.
• If you engage the gears correctly, the machine will operate smoothly.
• To fully engage with the text, you should take notes while reading.
• Students are encouraged to engage critically with the material in class.

How to use Engage

Use 'engage' in contexts like discussions or activities. It can be formal for business settings and neutral for everyday conversations. Avoid in very casual or slang situations.

Grammar pattern

engage + object

Memory hint

Think of 'engage' like a 'gear' that gets you into action.

Related words

Collocations with Engage

• actively
• constructively
• openly
• fail to
• refuse to
• with
• attempt to
• seek to
• try to
• actively
• constructively
• openly
• fail to
• refuse to
• with
• attempt to
• seek to
• try to

Synonyms for Engage

• involve
• participate
• capture
• entertain
• attract

Opposites of Engage

• disengage
• ignore
• neglect

Common mistakes with Engage

• Confused with 'enrage' – different meanings.
• Using 'engage' without an object, which can sound incomplete.
• Mixing up the forms, like using 'engaged' as a verb instead of an adjective.

Frequently asked questions about Engage

What does Engage mean?

To participate in something or attract someone's attention.

What is the definition of Engage?

to succeed in attracting and keeping somebody’s attention and interest

How do you use Engage in a sentence?

We need to engage the audience with our presentation to keep their attention.

Can you give another example of Engage?

The company's goal is to engage more customers through social media.

What are synonyms for Engage?

Common alternatives include involve, participate, capture, entertain, attract.

What is the opposite of Engage?

Opposite meanings include disengage, ignore, neglect.

What words go with Engage?

It commonly pairs with actively, constructively, openly, fail to, refuse to, with, attempt to, seek to, try to, actively, constructively, openly, fail to, refuse to, with, attempt to, seek to, try to.

What are common mistakes when using Engage?

Confused with 'enrage' – different meanings. Using 'engage' without an object, which can sound incomplete. Mixing up the forms, like using 'engaged' as a verb instead of an adjective.

How do you pronounce Engage?

US: /["/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪz/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪz/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/","/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Engage?

Use 'engage' in contexts like discussions or activities. It can be formal for business settings and neutral for everyday conversations. Avoid in very casual or slang situations.

What CEFR level is Engage?

"Engage" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.