ENGAGE in THE GREAT GATSBY - verbalworkout.com

3 meanings, 8 uses

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1 —2 uses as in:
engage in conversation

Definition

to interact in various ways — such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract

The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:

"They engaged in debate." — participated
"She engaged him in conversation." — involved
"She is an engaging conversationalist." — interesting
"She has an engaging smile." — attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
"The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." — attracts and involves
"She engages with her constituents." — interacts in a meaningful way

Eluding Jordan's undergraduate, who was now engaged in an obstetrical conversation with two chorus girls, and who implored me to join him, I went inside.
p. 50.9

engaged = involved

One of the girls in yellow was playing the piano, and beside her stood a tall, red-haired young lady from a famous chorus, engaged in song.
p. 51.1

engaged = involved

There are no more uses of "engage" flagged with this meaning in The Great Gatsby.

Typical Usage (best examples)

2 —1 use as in:
engage her services

Definition

hire, reserve, book, or occupy

And we all took the less explicable step of engaging the parlor of a suite in the Plaza Hotel.
p. 126.1

engaging = occupying

There are no more uses of "engage" flagged with this meaning in The Great Gatsby.

Typical Usage (best examples)

3 —5 uses as in:
engaged and then married

Definition

promised to marry

Of course I knew what they were referring to, but I wasn't even vaguely engaged.
p. 19.9