enlist

Everyday

1. To enlist means to join the army, navy or air force. tree →
2. To enlist someone's help means to ask them to help you and get them to agree. tree →
3. To enlist someone can also mean to get them to join a group or take on a job, such as standing guard. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons it is used for soldiers joining up, for example in the First World War when many young men enlisted, some lying about their age. In everyday life it means getting people to help: «We enlisted Dad to carry the boxes». Phrases: «enlist in the army», «enlist the help of».

Examples

• My great-grandad enlisted in the navy when he was eighteen. tree →
• Thousands of men enlisted in 1914. tree →
• She enlisted in the air force after school. tree →
• We enlisted our neighbour to help find the cat. tree →
• The teacher enlisted parents to run the bake sale. tree →
• Some boys lied about their age to enlist. tree →
• At length he collected himself enough to say:—“If this young man will enlist in my army I will let him off. tree →

Note

Regular verb: enlisted. Noun: enlistment. An «enlisted» soldier in the USA is one who is not an officer. Opposite in the army: discharge, leave. Not to be confused with «list» or «listen».