# engine

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɛnd͡ʒɪn/ · frequency rank #1,524

## Definitions
1. A large construction used in warfare, such as a battering ram, catapult etc.
2. A tool; a utensil or implement.
3. A complex mechanical device which converts energy into useful motion or physical effects.
4. A person or group of people which influence a larger group; a driving force.
5. The part of a car or other vehicle which provides the force for motion, now especially one powered by internal combustion.
6. A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
7. A self-powered vehicle used for moving cars along a track.
8. A software or hardware system responsible for a specific technical task (usually with qualifying word).
9. Ingenuity; cunning, trickery, guile.
10. The result of cunning; something ingenious, a contrivance; (in negative senses) a plot, a scheme.
11. Natural talent; genius.
12. Anything used to effect a purpose; any device or contrivance; an agent.

## Etymology
From Middle English engyn, from Anglo-Norman engine, Old French engin (“skill, cleverness, war machine”), from Latin ingenium (“innate or natural quality, nature, genius, a genius, an invention, (in Late Latin) a war-engine, battering-ram”), related to ingignō (“to instil by birth, implant, produce in”). Compare gin, ingenious, engineer.

## Easily confused with
- **engle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-engle)
- **entire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-entire)
- **Eugene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-eugene)
- **entice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-entice)
- **equine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-equine)
- **engined** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-engined)
- **engineer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engine-vs-engineer)
- **Eine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eine-vs-engine)
- **Elgin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elgin-vs-engine)
- **ending** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ending-vs-engine)
- **engage** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/engage-vs-engine)
- **Elaine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elaine-vs-engine)
- **edging** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/edging-vs-engine)

## Common misspellings (8)
`egnine`, `enggine`, `engien`, `enginne`, `engnie`, `enigne`, `enngine`, `negine`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/engine