Basic Details
Word: Engagement
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: An agreement to marry; also an arrangement to meet or do something, or being involved in an activity.
Synonyms: betrothal, appointment, involvement, commitment
How to Spell Engagement
Syllables: en - gage - ment
Tricky part: Engage keeps its e when -ment is added: engage + ment. Leaving it out gives engagment, which is wrong.
Watch out for: engagment, ingagement, engagemant
Memory tip: An engagement ring often holds a gem, and you can find g-e-m in the middle of engagement, where engage meets -ment.
Usage Examples
Example 1: My cousin's engagement party was held in a garden in Jaipur.
Example 2: The minister cancelled all his engagements to visit the flood area.
Example 3: Student engagement rose when the class started doing experiments.
Fun Fact
In the armed forces, engagement also means a fight: a short clash between two forces is often reported as an engagement.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word engagement as used in the sentence:
The singer had to cancel an evening engagement because of a sore throat.
a) appointment
b) argument
c) illness
d) accident
Show answer
a) appointment. An evening engagement is something arranged for that time, which is an appointment.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to complete the word:
en_a_ement
a) g, g
b) j, g
c) d, g
d) g, j
Show answer
a) g, g. Both gaps take g: a hard one as in gate and a soft one as in page.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. engagment 2. reception 3. ceremony 4. invitation
a) an agreement to marry
b) a formal party held to welcome guests
c) a request to come to an event
d) a formal event held for a special occasion
Show answer
a) an agreement to marry. Engage keeps its final e before -ment, so the gem in the middle stays whole.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An engagement ring is given when two people ____.
a) agree to marry
b) finish school
c) start a job
d) buy a house
Show answer
a) agree to marry
2. Which of these shows engagement in a lesson?
a) doodling all period
b) yawning loudly
c) staring outside
d) asking questions
Show answer
d) asking questions
