The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ENGAGED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
N
G
A
G
E
D
More clues leading to the result ENGAGED
- In from France, joke with editor, busy
- In conclusion, good time promised
- Took part of our tongue, in short well past its sell-by date?
- Busy preparing for match?
- Hired to provide evidence that ladies are being used
- Desperate need to consume crack, heading for altar
- Working, as one intended?
- Busy wearing a ring?
- . Not ringing with a ring?
- Busy with aim to embrace something green?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Busy/preparing for match" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case busy/preparing for match = engaged.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ENGAGED mean?
ENGAGED verb- (heading) To interact socially.
- (heading) To interact antagonistically.
- (heading) To interact contractually.
- (heading) To interact mechanically.
- To enter into (an activity), to participate (construed with in).
- To entangle.
- Agreed to be married.
- Busy or employed.
- Greatly interested.
- (of a telephone) Already involved in a telephone call when a third party calls
- (of a column) attached to a wall or sunk into it halfway
- (of gears or cogs) in contact and in operation
- Being attacked or attacking
- (of a foetus) Having the widest part of its presenting part, usually the head, enter the pelvic brim or inlet.