entertain

[ en-ter-teyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.

   Synonyms: regale, beguile

   Antonyms: bore

2. to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to.
3. to admit into the mind; consider:

   He never entertained such ideas.

   Antonyms: reject

4. to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish:

   They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge.

5. Archaic. to maintain or keep up.
6. Obsolete. to give admittance or reception to; receive.

verb (used without object)

1. to exercise hospitality; entertain company; provide entertainment for guests:

   They loved to talk, dance, and entertain.

entertain

/ ˌɛntəˈteɪn /

verb

1. to provide amusement for (a person or audience)
2. to show hospitality to (guests)
3. tr to hold in the mind

   to entertain an idea

Other Words From

• over·enter·tained adjective
• preen·ter·tain verb (used with object)
• unen·ter·tained adjective
• well-en·ter·tained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of entertain¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English entertenen “to hold mutually,” from Middle French entretenir, ultimately from Vulgar Latin intertenēre (unrecorded), from Latin inter- inter- + tenēre “to hold”

Word History and Origins

Origin of entertain¹

C15: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre

Synonym Study

See amuse.

Example Sentences

If they were, they wouldn’t be half as entertaining.

From Salon

Both sides like to entertain and attack, just with slightly different ways in how they go about it.

From BBC

But I think he really wanted this film to be entertaining as well, and to have heart.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the fact the team is even entertaining a meeting with this year’s top free agent suggests the Dodgers, for all the spending they did last offseason, aren’t tightening their purse strings yet.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was a wildly entertaining, engaging script and I felt it had something fresh to it,” said Egerton.

From BBC

Related Words

• beguile
• captivate
• charm
• cheer
• comfort
• delight
• distract
• enthrall
• gratify
• inspire
• please
• regale
• relax
• satisfy