noun · neutral
engagement
/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/en·GAGE·ment
a formal agreement to marry; the period between agreeing to marry and the wedding; also an arranged meeting or involvement
Examples
“They announced their engagement to family and friends.”
“I can't come tonight — I have another engagement.”
“Her engagement to the company project showed she was very involved.”
Band 8 sentence
“Their engagement was a quiet family affair, which they announced only after both had finished university.”
Collocations
- announce an engagement
- engagement ring
- have an engagement
Word family
Common mistakes
We have an engagement now.→We are engaged now. / We have an engagement party.
He is my fiancee.→He is my fiancé.
Say it for a higher band
5engaged→6to be engaged→7+engagement
Synonyms
betrothal
Easily confused
fiancé / fiancée
“She introduced her fiancé to the family after announcing the engagement.”
appointment
“I can't meet you then; I have an appointment at ten.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Family & Relationships
Learn it with its set