Occupies — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈä-kyə-ˌpī/ oc·cu·py

Meaning & Definition of Occupies

Occupies (verb)

  1. to engage the attention or energies of
  2. to take up (a place or extent in space)
  3. to take or fill (an extent in time)

Occupies (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to hold the attention of

    "a puzzle will occupy that child for hours"

    similar: absorbs, bemuses, busies, catches up, engages, engrosses, enthralls, enwraps, fascinates, grips, immerses, interests, intrigues, involves, catches one's eye
    related: allures, attracts, beguiles, bewitches, captivates, charms, enchants, obsesses, hypnotizes, mesmerizes, distracts, preoccupies, hogs, monopolizes
    near: bores, jades, palls, tires, wearies

Related Entry: Occupy (verb)

Occupy is a different word from Occupies. The synonyms below are for occupy, not for occupies.

  1. to hold the attention of

    "a puzzle will occupy that child for hours"

    similar: absorb, bemuse, busy, catch up, engage, engross, enthrall, enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, interest, intrigue, involve, catch one's eye
    related: allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess, hypnotize, mesmerize, distract, preoccupy, hog, monopolize
    near: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Occupies

The most common words with a similar meaning to Occupies:

absorbs, bemuses, busies, catches up, engages, engrosses, enthralls, enwraps, fascinates, grips, immerses, interests, intrigues, involves, catches one's eye

Related Words for Occupies

allures, attracts, beguiles, bewitches, captivates, charms, enchants, obsesses, hypnotizes, mesmerizes, distracts, preoccupies, hogs, monopolizes

Near Antonyms of Occupies

bores, jades, palls, tires, wearies

Word Forms of Occupies

Inflections: occupied, occupying

Derived words: occupier (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Occupies

Middle English occupien "to take possession of, hold, inhabit, take up space in, fill, keep (oneself) busy," borrowed from Anglo-French occuper, occupier, borrowed from Latin occupāre "to grasp, appropriate to oneself, take possession of, fill up (space, a position), forestall," from oc-, assimilated variant of ob- ob- + -cupāre, intensive derivative of capere "to take, seize, catch" heave:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Occupies

What does "Occupies" mean?

"Occupies" means to engage the attention or energies of. As a verb, it is defined as: to engage the attention or energies of.

What is another word for "Occupies"?

Other words for "Occupies" include absorbs, bemuses, busies, catches up, engages, engrosses, enthralls and enwraps. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Occupies" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Occupies"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Occupies". Common alternatives include absorbs, bemuses, busies, catches up, engages, engrosses, enthralls, enwraps, fascinates and grips.

How do you use "Occupies" in a sentence?

Examples of "Occupies" in a sentence: "a puzzle will occupy that child for hours".

Is "Occupies" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Occupies" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Occupies"?

"Occupies" is pronounced /ˈä-kyə-ˌpī/ and divided into syllables as oc·cu·py.

What is the origin of the word "Occupies"?

"Occupies" comes from Middle English occupien "to take possession of, hold, inhabit, take up space in, fill, keep (oneself) busy," borrowed from Anglo-French occuper, occupier, borrowed from Latin occupāre "to grasp, appropriate to oneself, take possession of, fill up (space, a position), forestall," from oc-, assimilated variant of ob- ob- + -cupāre, intensive derivative of capere "to take, seize, catch" heave:1. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Occupies" meaning "to hold the attention of"?

When "Occupies" (verb) means to hold the attention of, synonyms include absorbs, bemuses, busies, catches up, engages and engrosses.