verb

engage

To commit oneself or another to an agreed undertaking.

We engage a local accountant to prepare our annual taxes.

Etymology

The French verb concerns pledging or binding. Engaging people commits them to an undertaking, making their participation a promised obligation rather than a casual possibility.

More examples

  • They got engaged last weekend.
  • The theater has engaged her to direct its next production.
  • She is engaged to marry her longtime partner.

Forms

engage · engages · engaged · engaging

engagement noun — An agreement to marry or provide services.

Similar words

commit
Commit stresses binding someone to a promise or obligation.
hire
Hire specifically means paying someone to work for you.
retain
Retain often means securing ongoing professional services, especially legal help.