engrossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "engrossed" is correct and usable in written English.
"Engrossed" is used to describe when someone is so deeply involved in something that they are oblivious to their surroundings. Example sentence: She was so engrossed in her book that she didn't notice her parents enter the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I remember being horrified (and a tad judgemental): How could these parents have let their daughter – not even a toddler yet – become so engrossed with technology?

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a bit hard to tell because I was so engrossed by working on my new translation of Also Sprach Zarathustra.

The Guardian - Opinion

LG claims that the G Watch will still connect to a smartphone some 15m away, which gives quite a lot of potential for inadvertently leaving your phone behind somewhere while engrossed by something on your smartwatch.

The Guardian - Tech

I am so engrossed in how much there is to do, I forget about the hours I am working, whether I've eaten or even had a glass of water.

The Guardian

And then I remember noticing that there were suddenly no leaves on the trees – I'd been so engrossed I hadn't seen the seasons change.

The Guardian

At a pro-independence away day at Murrayfield, a rugby stadium in Edinburgh, last July delegates listened engrossed as two campaigners lectured on how to craft clear, punchy, lefty messages.

The Economist

With just seven months until the election both parties seem engrossed in energising those bases.

The Economist

According to Afghan officials, the attackers' handlers gave support and advice by phone from over the border in Pakistan.In this section On the front line Not fade away Blood-stained rainbow Engrossed Deprive and rule New light in Myanmar?

The Economist

He is so engrossed in his film, his television show, his computer game or whatever he is watching that he does not notice he is blocking the door of the train.

The Economist

Her party does not recognise the constitution imposed by the outgoing junta, and, unrepresented in the new parliament, is technically illegal.In this section On the front line Not fade away Blood-stained rainbow Engrossed Deprive and rule New light in Myanmar?

The Economist

Russia is suddenly engrossed in the politics of choosing a prime minister the fourth in about a year to succeed Yevgeny Primakov, a great promoter of a Russian-Chinese "strategic partnership".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engrossed" to describe a state of deep mental absorption, especially when someone is unaware of their surroundings due to their focus.

Common error

Avoid using "engrossed" when simply describing interest. "Engrossed" indicates a complete absorption that shuts out other stimuli, not just a passing interest.

Linguistic Context

The word "engrossed" primarily functions as an adjective describing a state of being completely absorbed or occupied, as Ludwig AI also highlighted. It indicates a deep level of involvement to the exclusion of other distractions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "engrossed" is an adjective used to describe a state of deep absorption or preoccupation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable in various writing contexts. It is frequently used in news media and encyclopedic content. When using "engrossed", ensure it accurately reflects a state of complete mental capture, as opposed to simple interest. Synonyms like "absorbed", "immersed", and "preoccupied" can serve as valuable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbed

Focuses on the state of being completely occupied mentally.

preoccupied

Emphasizes being occupied with thoughts, often to the exclusion of other things.

immersed

Highlights being deeply involved or surrounded by something.

captivated

Suggests being charmed or fascinated to the point of complete attention.

enthralled

Implies being completely fascinated and delighted.

riveted

Indicates being so fascinated that one is unable to move or look away.

consumed

Suggests being completely filled or dominated by something.

wrapped up

Emphasizes being completely involved and focused on something.

deeply involved

Highlights the extent of participation and focus.

wholly absorbed

Stresses the completeness of absorption in something.

FAQs

How can I use "engrossed" in a sentence?

You can use "engrossed" to describe someone completely absorbed in an activity, such as "She was so "engrossed" in her book that she didn't hear me come in".

What are some synonyms for "engrossed"?

Alternatives include "absorbed", "preoccupied", or "immersed", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "engrossed by" or "engrossed in"?

Both are correct, but "engrossed in" is more common when referring to activities or subjects, while "engrossed by" can refer to a person or thing causing the absorption.

What's the difference between "engrossed" and "interested"?

"Interested" implies a general curiosity or concern, while "engrossed" suggests a state of being completely absorbed and deeply involved to the exclusion of other things.