entertain — to provide amusement or enjoyment for someone
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to provide amusement or enjoyment for someone
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌentərˈteɪn/
Example Sentences
- My dad thinks he's entertaining when he tells dad jokes, but we all just groan.
- The CEO had to entertain important investors with expensive wine and awkward small talk.
- She refused to entertain the possibility that her cat might actually be plotting world domination.
entertain
VERB[/ˌentərˈteɪn/]
to provide amusement or enjoyment for someone
The clown's wild juggling tricks entertain the cheering kids at the birthday party.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from 16th-century French, originating from the concept of 'holding together' or 'keeping within'. The meaning evolved from the literal sense of retaining or engaging attention to the modern sense of providing amusement or engaging someone in agreeable activity.
Breakdown
enter- (between, among) + -tenir (to hold, keep) = literally 'to hold between/among'. The compound evolved from the physical sense of maintaining engagement to the figurative sense of delighting or amusing someone.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My dad thinks he's entertaining when he tells dad jokes, but we all just groan.”
“The CEO had to entertain important investors with expensive wine and awkward small talk.”
“She refused to entertain the possibility that her cat might actually be plotting world domination.”
“The children were easily entertained by popping bubble wrap for two hours straight.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.