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# engage

verb (engage, engages, engaged, engaging)

«engage» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To take part or get involved in something: «engage in a discussion». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#m1)
2. To catch and keep someone's interest or attention: «The story engaged the class.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#m2)
3. (formal) To employ someone to do a job: «engage a builder». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#m3)
4. (of machinery) To fit together and start working: «The gears engage.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#m4)
5. (formal) To start fighting with an enemy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#m5)
6. (formal) To promise or agree to do something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#m6)

### In the lessons

In school, teachers try to «engage pupils»; pupils «engage with» a text by thinking about it. In everyday life, «engaged» means promised to marry, and a UK phone or toilet that is «engaged» is busy or occupied. In science and design, gears engage to turn wheels. Phrases: «engage in», «engage with», «engage someone's attention», «engage the brake».

### Examples

- The teacher used puppets to engage the younger children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x1)
- Pupils engaged in a lively debate about school uniform. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x2)
- (formal) We engaged a plumber to fix the pipe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x3)
- When you press the pedal, the gears engage. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x4)
- Try to engage with the story by asking questions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x5)
- The army engaged the enemy at dawn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x6)
- The game is so engaging I forgot the time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x7)
- But I must tell you I engage my labourers without wages. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/#x8)

### Note

Adjective forms: «engaged» (busy, or promised to marry) and «engaging» (interesting, charming). Noun: «engagement». Pattern: «engage in + noun/-ing», «engage with + someone/something». Formal compared with «take part».

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means to fight bravely in battle. A prophet tells King Amaziah that bravery will not save him if God is against him.

**Interpretation.** The verse is read as teaching that victory comes from God and not from strength or numbers alone.

### Examples

- But if thou wilt go, and do engage never so valiantly in battle, God will cast thee down before the enemy; for God hath power to help, and to cast down.' (Writings 2CH.25.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/engage/#x1)

### Note

Adjective forms: «engaged» (busy, or promised to marry) and «engaging» (interesting, charming). Noun: «engagement». Pattern: «engage in + noun/-ing», «engage with + someone/something». Formal compared with «take part».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «engage» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/engage/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«engage» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/engage.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «engage» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/engage/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«engage» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/engage.html) on Mova free.