ENGROSSED

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does engrossed mean? 

• ENGROSSED (adjective)
  The adjective ENGROSSED has 2 senses:

1. giving or marked by complete attention to

2. written formally in a large clear script, as a deed or other legal document

  Familiarity information: ENGROSSED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENGROSSED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Giving or marked by complete attention to

Synonyms:

absorbed; captive; engrossed; enwrapped; intent; wrapped

Context example:

wrapped in thought

Similar:

attentive ((often followed by 'to') giving care or attention)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Written formally in a large clear script, as a deed or other legal document

Similar:

written (set down in writing in any of various ways)

 Context examples 

He and I have been at times thrown a good deal together, while you have been wholly engrossed on the most affectionate principle by my mother.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Tom was engrossed by the concerns of his theatre, and saw nothing that did not immediately relate to it.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The others then joined her, and expressed admiration of his figure; but Elizabeth heard not a word, and wholly engrossed by her own feelings, followed them in silence.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She went away with the message, and, engrossed with our work, I clean forgot all about him.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Her own feelings entirely engrossed her; her wretchedness was most acute on finding herself obliged to go directly home.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

“Excellent!” said Holmes, who was recovering his good-humour as his attention became more engrossed by the case.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labours; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves—sights which before always yielded me supreme delight—so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I was surprised to find corruption grown so high and so quick in that empire, by the force of luxury so lately introduced; which made me less wonder at many parallel cases in other countries, where vices of all kinds have reigned so much longer, and where the whole praise, as well as pillage, has been engrossed by the chief commander, who perhaps had the least title to either.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Mr. Woodhouse had been safely seated long enough to give the history of it, besides all the history of his own and Isabella's coming, and of Emma's being to follow, and had indeed just got to the end of his satisfaction that James should come and see his daughter, when the others appeared, and Mrs. Weston, who had been almost wholly engrossed by her attentions to him, was able to turn away and welcome her dear Emma.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)