A1 noun Neutral #3,244 most common

engaged

/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/

To be engaged means that two people have promised to marry each other. It describes the time between a couple's decision to wed and the actual wedding ceremony.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My brother and his girlfriend just got engaged.

My brother and his girlfriend just got engaged.

2

The couple announced they were formally engaged to be married.

The couple announced they were formally engaged to be married.

3

Hey! Did you hear that Sarah and Mark are finally engaged?

Hey! Did you hear that Sarah and Mark are finally engaged?

Word Family

Noun
engagement
Verb
engage
Adjective
engaged
Related
fiancé
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'engaged' like a 'gage' (a pledge) that you put 'in' to guarantee a future wedding.

Quick Quiz

They have been ___ for two years, and they are finally getting married in June.

Correct!

The correct answer is: engaged

Examples

1

My brother and his girlfriend just got engaged.

everyday

My brother and his girlfriend just got engaged.

2

The couple announced they were formally engaged to be married.

formal

The couple announced they were formally engaged to be married.

3

Hey! Did you hear that Sarah and Mark are finally engaged?

informal

Hey! Did you hear that Sarah and Mark are finally engaged?

4

The survey tracks how long engaged couples wait before the wedding.

academic

The survey tracks how long engaged couples wait before the wedding.

5

The CEO is recently engaged and will take a leave of absence for the wedding.

business

The CEO is recently engaged and will take a leave of absence for the wedding.

Word Family

Noun
engagement
Verb
engage
Adjective
engaged
Related
fiancé

Common Collocations

get engaged to promise to marry someone
newly engaged having recently promised to marry
happily engaged being in a happy state before marriage
engaged to having a promise to marry a specific person
formally engaged having an official announcement of marriage

Common Phrases

get engaged to someone

to make a promise to marry a specific person

an engaged couple

two people who are going to get married

newly engaged

people who just started their engagement

Often Confused With

engaged vs busy

In British English, a phone line is 'engaged' when it is busy; in a family context, it only means promised to marry.

📝

Usage Notes

When talking about people, always use the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'He is engaged to Mary') rather than 'with'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'engaged with someone' instead of the correct 'engaged to someone'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'engaged' like a 'gage' (a pledge) that you put 'in' to guarantee a future wedding.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French word 'engagier', which means to bind by a pledge or a promise.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an adjective after the verb 'to be' or 'to get'. Followed by the preposition 'to' when mentioning the partner.
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, being engaged is usually symbolized by wearing a diamond ring on the fourth finger of the left hand.

Quick Quiz

They have been ___ for two years, and they are finally getting married in June.

Correct!

The correct answer is: engaged

More Family words

father

A1

A father is a male parent of a child. This term describes both the biological relationship and the social role of a man who raises and cares for his children.

dad

A1

An informal and affectionate name for a father, used primarily by children or within a family context. It refers to a male parent who provides care and support for his offspring.

mother

A1

A female parent who has given birth to or raised a child. It is also used more broadly to describe a woman who provides care, protection, and support to another person.

son

A1

A male child or man in relation to his parents. It is a fundamental kinship term used to describe a direct male descendant in a family.

child

A1

A young human being below the age of puberty or the legal age of majority. It can also refer to a son or daughter of any age in relation to their parents.

sister

A1

A sister is a girl or woman who shares the same parents as another person. It can also refer to a woman who shares one parent or someone who is very close like a family member.

twin

A1

A twin is one of two children born at the same time to the same mother. It can also refer to one of two things that are exactly the same or very similar.

baby

A1

A baby is a very young human being, typically from birth until they start to walk. It is a general term for an infant who requires complete care and attention from adults.

toddler

A1

A young child who is just beginning to walk, typically between the ages of one and three. This term describes the developmental stage between infancy and the start of preschool.

adult

A1

A person who is fully grown and developed, typically someone who is 18 years of age or older. It is used to distinguish a mature individual from a child or a teenager.

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