amusing

[ uh-myoo-zing ]

adjective

1. pleasantly entertaining or diverting:

   an amusing speaker.

   Synonyms: lively, engaging, pleasing, charming

2. causing laughter or mirth; humorously entertaining:

   an amusing joke.

   Synonyms: funny, humorous, laughable

amusing

/ əˈmjuːzɪŋ /

adjective

1. mildly entertaining; pleasantly diverting; causing a smile or laugh

Derived Forms

• aˈmusingly, adverb

Other Words From

• a·musing·ly adverb
• a·musing·ness noun
• quasi-a·musing adjective
• quasi-a·musing·ly adverb
• una·musing adjective
• una·musing·ly adverb
• una·musing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of amusing¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; amuse + -ing ²

Synonym Study

Amusing, comical, droll describe that which causes mirth. That which is amusing is quietly humorous or funny in a gentle, good-humored way: The baby's attempts to talk were amusing. That which is comical causes laughter by being incongruous, witty, or ludicrous: His huge shoes made the clown look comical. Droll adds to comical the idea of strange or peculiar, and sometimes that of sly or waggish humor: the droll antics of a kitten; a droll imitation.

Example Sentences

They’re going for a kind of holiday-themed “Mission: Impossible” or “Jason Bourne” vibe, which is lightly amusing for all of five minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s perfectly fine — consistently amusing, sometimes funny, basically sweet, a little sentimental in the finish.

From Los Angeles Times

An amusing scene has two women he robbed remembering little more than how handsome he was when questioned by the police.

From Salon

Though the sightseeing may, at first, seem like a device to throw the estranged David and Benji together for a much needed if inevitably fraught reunion, Eisenberg deftly blends the story’s strands in darkly amusing, moving and combustible ways.

From Los Angeles Times

Neil Postman was right when he wrote in "Amusing Ourselves to Death" — in 1985! — that democracy is doomed when entertainment values take over political discourse.

From Salon

Related Words

• campy
• charming
• comical
• delightful
• diverting
• droll
• engaging
• enjoyable
• entertaining
• fun
• gratifying
• humorous
• interesting
• lively
• pleasant
• pleasing