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 Word Forms

• overentertained adjective
• preentertain verb (used with object)
• unentertained adjective
• well-entertained 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

“The heart of what we do is develop stories and characters to entertain our audiences, bringing to life the vision and passion of our creative partners,” Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times

Archer kept a thinning crowd entertained and, in the company of last man Saqib Mahmood, needed 16 from the last over.

From BBC

"My frustration was I would have written an album's worth of material but also had to entertain these others songs that were not as good," he told Mojo Magazine.

From BBC

"This is a game - not between two of the bigger rugby nations - but people are loving us, they came out to support and we gave them a really entertaining piece of rugby."

From BBC

On a day off you've got to take them out because you can't stay at home with them all day because it'll drive you mad, so it's just entertaining them as much as possible.

From BBC

Related Words

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