engage

Universal Words verb 1 [VN] (formal) to succeed in attracting and keeping sb's attention and interest: It is a movie that engages both the mind and the eye. * Their pleas failed to engage any sympathy. 2 ~ sb (as sth) (formal) to employ sb to do a particular job: [VN] He is currently engaged as a consultant. * We will have to engage the services of a translator. [also VNtoinf] 3 [V] ~ (with sth/sb) to become involved with and try to understand sth/sb: She has the ability to engage with young minds. 4 (formal) to begin fighting with sb: [VN] to engage the enemy [also V] 5 ~ (with sth) when a part of a machine engages, or when you engage it, it fits together with another part of the machine and the machine begins to work: [V] One cogwheel engages with the next. * The cogwheels are not engaging. * [VN] Engage the clutch before selecting a gear. OPPDISENGAGE PHRASALVERBS engage in sth