amuse

[ uh-myooz ]

verb (used with object)

, a·mused, a·mus·ing.

1. to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner:

   She amused the guests with witty conversation.

   Synonyms: cheer, charm, please

2. to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in:

   The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.

3. to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.
4. Archaic. to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.
5. Obsolete.
   1. to engross; absorb.
   2. to puzzle; distract.

amuse

/ əˈmjuːz /

verb

1. to keep pleasantly occupied; entertain; divert
2. to cause to laugh or smile

Confusables Note

See bemuse.

Other Words From

• a·musa·ble adjective
• a·muser noun
• una·musa·ble adjective
• una·musa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amuse¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Middle French amuser “to divert”; equivalent to a- ⁵ + muse

Word History and Origins

Origin of amuse¹

C15: from Old French amuser to cause to be idle, from muser to muse ¹

Synonym Study

Amuse, divert, entertain mean to occupy the attention with something pleasant. That which amuses is usually playful or humorous and pleases the fancy. Divert implies turning the attention from serious thoughts or pursuits to something light, amusing, or lively. That which entertains usually does so because of a plan or program that engages and holds the attention by being pleasing and sometimes instructive.

Example Sentences

This may amuse you as they wind around your legs.

From Los Angeles Times

I was trying to amuse myself during that terrible wait.

From Los Angeles Times

An August sit-down with CNN’s Dana Bash, with her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz beside her, was painted as a Milk Bone toss to a ravenous wolf pack – an amuse bouche too insubstantial to sate.

From Salon

Eugene and Dan Levy would gently amuse.

From Los Angeles Times

While it will likely amuse its target audience of geeks and the terminally online, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a whole lot of hot air and not much else.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charm
• cheer
• delight
• gratify
• please
• regale
• tickle
• wow