Engaging - English meaning

verb

Take in or soak up (energy or a liquid or other substance) by chemical or physical action.

Usage examples:

Buildings can be designed to absorb and retain heat

verb

To take in a liquid, gas, or chemical

Usage examples:

The black clay soil around here doesn’t absorb water very well., fig. the country has absorbed mill…

verb

If an organization absorbs the cost of something, it pays that cost

Usage examples:

The law school has absorbed most of the expenses so far, but it may have to offer fewer places next…

adjective

Quite enjoyable and pleasurable; pleasant.

Usage examples:

A cheerful and agreeable companion

adjective

Pleasant; pleasing

Usage examples:

She has an agreeable personality., we prefer to reach a solution agreeable to all interested partie…

adjective

Pleasant or pleasing

Usage examples:

We spent a most agreeable evening by the river.

adjective

Attractive or interesting.

Usage examples:

Village life is somehow more appealing

verb

Make a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request.

Usage examples:

Police are appealing for information about the incident

adjective

Interesting and attractive

Usage examples:

The package describing european tours certainly made them seem appealing.

verb

Assign a job or role to (someone).

Usage examples:

She has been appointed to the board

verb

To choose someone officially for a job or responsibility

Usage examples:

We've appointed three new teachers this year., he's just been appointed (as) director of the publis…

verb

To arrange a date or time when a meeting or other event will happen

Usage examples:

A date has been appointed for the election.

verb

Seize (someone) by legal authority and take them into custody.

Usage examples:

The police arrested him for possession of marijuana

noun

The action of seizing someone and taking them into custody.

Usage examples:

I have a warrant for your arrest

verb

Take into custody

adjective

Striking; eye-catching.

Usage examples:

At 6 feet 6 inches he was an arresting figure

verb

Seize (someone) by legal authority and take them into custody.

Usage examples:

The police arrested him for possession of marijuana

adjective

If something is arresting, it causes you to stop and notice it

Usage examples:

The house has an arresting view of the river.

verb

Cause to come to a place or participate in a venture by offering something of interest or advantage.

Usage examples:

A campaign to attract more visitors to shetland

verb

To cause something to come toward something else, or to cause a person or animal to become interested in someone or something

Usage examples:

An open flame attracts moths., the tennis championship will attract a lot of tourists to the city.,…

verb

To make people want to visit a place or find out more about something

Usage examples:

Attract visitors/audiences/fans the exhibition attracted over 10,000 visitors., attract interest/at…

adjective

Pleasing or appealing to the senses.

Usage examples:

An attractive village

adjective

Causing interest or pleasure

Usage examples:

They made me a very attractive job offer., they are an attractive family., one of the less attracti…

adjective

Very pleasing in appearance or sound

Usage examples:

A very attractive young woman, i find him very attractive (= he attracts me sexually)., attractive …

phrasal verb

If problems or dangers are associated with a particular thing or action, they are caused by it

Usage examples:

The cancer risks associated with smoking have been well documented.

adjective

Enchanting or delightful.

Usage examples:

I gazed deeply into the most bewitching blue eyes

verb

Enchant and delight (someone).

Usage examples:

They both were bewitched by the golden luminosity of italy

adjective

So beautiful or attractive that you cannot think about anything else

Usage examples:

He was mesmerized by her bewitching green eyes.

verb

Attract and hold the interest and attention of; charm.

Usage examples:

He was captivated by her beauty

verb

To hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, charming, or attractive

Usage examples:

Her singing captivated audiences everywhere.

verb

To hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive

Usage examples:

With her beauty and charm, she captivated film audiences everywhere.

adjective

Capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.

Usage examples:

A captivating smile

verb

Attract and hold the interest and attention of; charm.

Usage examples:

He was captivated by her beauty

adjective

Holding your attention by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive

Usage examples:

A captivating performance, her voice was utterly/absolutely captivating.

verb

Take into one's possession or control by force.

Usage examples:

The island was captured by australian forces in 1914

noun

The action of capturing or of being captured.

Usage examples:

The capture of the city

verb

To take someone as a prisoner, or to take something into your possession, especially by force

Usage examples:

Two of the soldiers were killed and the rest were captured., rebel forces captured the city after a…

verb

Intercept and hold (something which has been thrown, propelled, or dropped).

Usage examples:

She threw the bottle into the air and caught it again

noun

An act of catching something, typically a ball.

Usage examples:

I saw myself fumbling easy catches and looking clumsy.

verb

Take hold of so as to seize or stop the motion of

adjective

Very pleasant or attractive.

Usage examples:

A charming country cottage

exclamation

Used as an ironic expression of displeasure or disapproval.

Usage examples:

‘i hate men.’ ‘charming!’ he said

verb

Delight greatly.

Usage examples:

The books have charmed children the world over

noun

An instruction, command, or role given to a person or group.

Usage examples:

One of his first commissions was to redesign the great exhibition building

verb

Order or authorize the production of (something).

Usage examples:

The portrait was commissioned by his widow in 1792

noun

A group of people who have been formally chosen and given the authority to get information about a problem or to perform other special duties

Usage examples:

Congress appointed a commission to study immigration policy., she received a commission to paint th…

verb

Bring together or into contact so that a real or notional link is established.

Usage examples:

The electrodes were connected to a recording device

verb

To join together two things, or to be joined together

Usage examples:

[ i ] the printer connects to the computer., [ t ] a ferry connects the island to the mainland., [ …

verb

To join two or more pieces of equipment together, or to be joined in this way

Usage examples:

Wireless networks allow you to connect two or more pcs within your own home., connect to sth the ca…

noun

Two people or things of the same sort considered together.

Usage examples:

A couple of girls were playing marbles

verb

Link or combine (something) with something else.

Usage examples:

A sense of hope is coupled with a palpable sense of loss

noun

Two or a few things that are similar or the same, or two or a few people who are in some way connected

Usage examples:

I’m packing a couple of sweaters in case it gets cold., we’re having two couples over for dinner.

adjective

Extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily.

Usage examples:

The sunlight was dazzling

verb

(of a bright light) blind (a person or their eyes) temporarily.

Usage examples:

She was dazzled by the headlights

adjective

Causing or likely to cause strong admiration

Usage examples:

A dazzling smile flashed across his face.

adjective

Causing delight; charming.

Usage examples:

A delightful secluded garden

adjective

Full of pleasure

Usage examples:

We spent a delightful weekend in maine.

adjective

Very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable

Usage examples:

Our new neighbours are delightful., thank you for a delightful evening.

verb

Produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks on paper with a pencil, pen, etc.

Usage examples:

He drew a map

noun

An act of selecting names randomly to decide winners in a lottery, opponents in a sporting contest, etc.

Usage examples:

The draw has been made for this year's tournament

verb

Cause to move by pulling

verb

Give work to (someone) and pay them for it.

Usage examples:

The firm employs 150 people

noun

The state of being employed for wages or a salary.

Usage examples:

I started work in the employ of a grocer

verb

To pay someone to work or do a job for you

Usage examples:

The factory employs 87 workers., jacobs employs this phrase repeatedly.

adjective

Delightfully charming or attractive.

Usage examples:

Enchanting views

verb

Fill (someone) with great delight; charm.

Usage examples:

Isabel was enchanted with the idea

adjective

Very pleasant or charming

Usage examples:

Belgium is an enchanting country.

verb

Absorb all the attention or interest of.

Usage examples:

They seemed to be engrossed in conversation

verb

If something engrosses you, it is so interesting that you give it all your attention

Usage examples:

What is it about harry potter that so engrosses children?

verb

Enrol or be enrolled in the armed services.

Usage examples:

He enlisted in the royal naval air service

verb

To join (an organization, esp. the armed forces)

Usage examples:

He enlisted in the air force., the program enlists businesses in hiring inner city kids.

verb

To join the armed forces

Usage examples:

Enlist (in) they both enlisted (in the navy) a year before the war broke out.

verb

Officially register as a member of an institution or a student on a course.

Usage examples:

He enrolled in drama school

verb

To put yourself or someone else onto the official list of members of a group, course, or college

Usage examples:

Enrol sb for/in/on sth under the new rules, employees could be enrolled in a company-sponsored reti…

verb

To put yourself or someone else onto the official list of members of a course, college, or group

Usage examples:

Enrol at is it too late to enrol at the college?, enrol for/in/on i enrolled for/in/on the modern a…

adjective

Attractive.

Usage examples:

A fetching little garment of pink satin

verb

Go for and then bring back (someone or something) for someone.

Usage examples:

He ran to fetch help

adjective

A fetching person or piece of clothing is attractive

Usage examples:

A fetching off-the-shoulder dress, look fetching you look very fetching in your green shorts.

verb

Obtain or secure (something wanted or desirable).

Usage examples:

We gained entry to the car in five seconds

noun

An increase in wealth or resources.

Usage examples:

The pursuit of personal gain

verb

Obtain

phrasal verb

Like or habitually take part in an activity.

Usage examples:

I don't go in for the social whirl

phrasal verb

Enter a competition or sit an examination.

Usage examples:

He went in for the exam

phrasal verb

To do something regularly, or to enjoy something

Usage examples:

I’ve never gone in for spending all day at the beach.

verb

Grasp or seize suddenly and roughly.

Usage examples:

She grabbed him by the shirt collar

noun

A quick sudden clutch or attempt to seize.

Usage examples:

He made a grab at the pistol

verb

Take or seize suddenly

verb

Take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly.

Usage examples:

His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel

noun

A firm hold; a tight grasp.

Usage examples:

His arm was held in a vice-like grip

verb

Hold fast or firmly

verb

Obtain the temporary use of (something) for an agreed payment.

Usage examples:

We flew to san diego, hired a car, and headed for las vegas

noun

The action of hiring someone or something.

Usage examples:

Car hire is recommended

verb

To pay to use something for a short period

Usage examples:

How much would it cost to hire a car for the weekend?, you could always hire a dress for the ball i…

verb

Grasp, carry, or support with one's hands.

Usage examples:

She was holding a brown leather suitcase

noun

An act or manner of grasping something; a grip.

Usage examples:

He caught hold of her arm

noun

A large compartment or space in the lower part of a ship or aircraft in which cargo is stowed.

Usage examples:

Oversized baggage is placed in the hold of the plane

verb

Connect with each other.

Usage examples:

The way human activities interconnect with the environment

noun

A device used to connect two things together.

Usage examples:

Device interconnects and methods of making the same are described.

verb

(of two or more things) to connect with or be related to each other

Usage examples:

The problems of poverty and unemployment are all interconnected.

verb

(of two or more things) engage with each other by overlapping or by the fitting together of projections and recesses.

Usage examples:

Their fingers interlocked

noun

A device or mechanism for connecting or coordinating the function of different components.

Usage examples:

A safety interlock to stop the blades spinning

verb

To join together firmly, esp. by fitting one part into another

Usage examples:

Interlocking rings

verb

Link; connect.

Usage examples:

The tap was joined to a pipe

noun

A place or line where two or more things are connected or fastened together.

Usage examples:

It was soldered so well that you couldn't see the join

verb

To connect or fasten things together

Usage examples:

A long suspension bridge joins the two islands., join the two pieces together using strong glue., t…

adjective

(especially of a person) pleasant, friendly, and easy to like.

Usage examples:

A very likeable young woman

adjective

A likeable person is pleasant and easy to like

Usage examples:

He's a very likeable sort of bloke.

adjective

Inspiring or deserving love or affection.

Usage examples:

A naughty but lovable child

adjective

Easy to love

Usage examples:

Owen’s a lovable little kid with lots of energy.

adjective

Very beautiful or attractive.

Usage examples:

Lovely views

noun

An attractive woman.

Usage examples:

A bevy of lovelies

adjective

Attractive and beautiful, or pleasant and enjoyable

Usage examples:

You look lovely in that dress., thank you for a lovely evening.

noun

The sexual partner of a bird or other animal.

Usage examples:

A male bird sings to court a mate

verb

(of animals or birds) come together for breeding; copulate.

Usage examples:

Successful males may mate with many females

verb

Short for checkmate (noun).

noun

Material made of a network of wire or thread.

Usage examples:

Mesh for fishing nets

verb

(of the teeth of a gearwheel) be engaged with another gearwheel.

Usage examples:

One gear meshes with the input gear

noun

A material loosely woven of wire, plastic, or thread so that it has spaces in it like a net

Usage examples:

Pour the liquid through a strainer of fine mesh., [ i ] the teeth of the smaller and larger gears m…

verb

Reside or have one's place of business in (a building).

Usage examples:

The rented flat she occupies in hampstead

verb

Live in (a certain place)

verb

(of an army or group of people) to move into and take control or possession of a place

Usage examples:

Nationalist forces now occupy more than 70% of the country., a large couch occupies most of the spa…

verb

To spend time doing something enjoyable or amusing

Usage examples:

The children spent the afternoon playing., [ t ] he loves playing football., [ i ] what team does s…

verb

To have money, time, etc. available to use

Usage examples:

Swelling tax receipts have given the government more money to play with over the last two years., w…

verb

To spend time doing something enjoyable or amusing

Usage examples:

The children spent the afternoon playing., [ t ] he loves playing football., [ i ] what team does s…

verb

To have money, time, etc. available to use

Usage examples:

Swelling tax receipts have given the government more money to play with over the last two years., w…

adjective

Giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.

Usage examples:

A very pleasant evening

adjective

Enjoyable or attractive, or (of a person) friendly and easy to like

Usage examples:

We spent a pleasant afternoon at the beach., she had a pleasant manner and was popular with everyon…

adjective

Satisfying or appealing.

Usage examples:

The pleasing austerity of the surroundings

verb

Cause to feel happy and satisfied.

Usage examples:

He arranged a fishing trip to please his son

adjective

(of a person, especially a woman or child) attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful.

Usage examples:

A pretty little girl with an engaging grin

adverb

To a moderately high degree; fairly.

Usage examples:

He looked pretty fit for his age

noun

An attractive thing, especially a trinket.

Usage examples:

He buys her lots of pretties—bangles and rings

verb

Enlist (someone) in the armed forces.

Usage examples:

We recruit our toughest soldiers from the desert tribes

noun

A person newly enlisted in the armed forces and not yet fully trained.

Usage examples:

The intention is to influence many of those new recruits into becoming army reserve officers.

verb

Cause to assemble or enlist in the military

verb

Continue to have (something); keep possession of.

Usage examples:

Built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features

verb

To keep or continue to have something

Usage examples:

Francis retained control of the company., his capacity to retain (= remember) facts was as keen as …

verb

To keep or continue to have something, especially a position or money, or control of something

Usage examples:

Salespeople have developed novel ways to use the web to reach or retain customers., you retain the …

verb

Take hold of suddenly and forcibly.

Usage examples:

She jumped up and seized his arm

verb

Take hold of; grab

verb

To take something quickly and hold it

Usage examples:

He seized her arm to lead her through the crowd., fig. while she was distracted, i seized the oppor…

adjective

Having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salt, sour, or bitter.

Usage examples:

A cup of hot sweet tea

noun

A small shaped piece of sweet food made with sugar.

Usage examples:

A bag of sweets

adjective

(esp. of food or drink) having a taste similar to that of sugar or honey

Usage examples:

The four basic tastes are sweet, salty, bitter, and sour., i like sweet cherries., the desserts wer…

collocation

Take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities

phrasal verb

Engage an employee.

Usage examples:

He took me on as an apprentice

phrasal verb

Be willing or ready to meet an adversary or opponent.

Usage examples:

A group of villagers has taken on the planners

idiom

To understand or accept an idea or a piece of information

Usage examples:

Banks need to take on board the views of their customers.

idiom

To be actively involved in something with other people

Usage examples:

All the children took part in the thanksgiving play.

idiom

To do something enthusiastically

Usage examples:

She’s thrown herself into this new job.

verb

Come or bring together for a common purpose or action.

Usage examples:

He called on the party to unite

verb

Join or combine

verb

To bring different groups or things together to become one, or to join together to become one

Usage examples:

[ i ] the thirteen american colonies united to form a new nation.

verb

Be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict).

Usage examples:

United won four games in a row

noun

A successful result in a contest, conflict, bet, or other endeavour; a victory.

Usage examples:

A 3–0 win over birmingham

verb

To defeat a competitor, or to achieve first position or get a prize in a competition

Usage examples:

[ i ] did they win last night?, [ t ] our team won the game!

adjective

Gaining, resulting in, or relating to victory in a contest or competition.

Usage examples:

A winning streak

noun

Money won, especially by gambling.

Usage examples:

He went to collect his winnings

verb

Be successful or victorious in (a contest or conflict).

Usage examples:

United won four games in a row

adjective

Attractive or appealing in a fresh, innocent way.

Usage examples:

A winsome smile

adjective

Charming and attractive in a simple way

Usage examples:

She opened her eyes and gave her mother a winsome smile.

noun

A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull.

Usage examples:

The god told him that he would meet a cow that had never borne the weight of a yoke or plough.

verb

Put a yoke on (a pair of animals); couple or attach with or to a yoke.

Usage examples:

A plough drawn by a camel and donkey yoked together

noun

A thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify.

Usage examples:

How much did that yoke set you back?