entertainer

American  

[en-ter-tey-ner] / ˌɛn tərˈteɪ nər /

noun

1. a singer, comedian, dancer, reciter, or the like, especially a professional one.

2. a person who entertains; host.

   She was one of the capital's great entertainers.

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entertainer British  

/ ˌɛntəˈteɪnə /

noun

1. a professional singer, comedian, or other performer who takes part in public entertainments

2. any person who entertains

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Other Word Forms

• preentertainer noun

Etymology

Origin of entertainer

First recorded in 1525–35; entertain + -er ¹

Explanation

An entertainer is a person whose job or goal is to perform for the amusement of others. If you're an entertainer, you might learn how to tap dance and take singing lessons. If you make your living as a comedian, you're an entertainer. You're also an entertainer if you're a dancer, singer, actor, or puppeteer. In all of these cases, your job is to entertain an audience. You can also call the member of your family who's always trying to make everyone laugh an entertainer. The word comes from the verb entertain, which originally meant "to keep up or maintain," and came to also mean "amuse" in the early 17th century.

Example Sentences

The entertainer also wrote and recorded “Runway” with rapper Doechii for the sequel’s soundtrack.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

The longtime prime minister proved to be a better entertainer than he was a builder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The longtime prime minister proved to be a better entertainer than he was a builder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

A year and a half ago, the Texan entertainer released his fourth album, “Hardstone Psycho,” his grungey take on biker culture.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

By attacking apartheid in a way no other black American entertainer or athlete had done, Arthur Ashe did appear to be a sort of messiah.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Related Words

• artist