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

Derived 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

"For me, Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I'm an entertainer."

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Children's entertainer Paul Chuckle has said he is "delighted" to be taking part in an upcoming National Theatre tour.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Taxpayers can thank entertainer George M. Cohan, who wrote the song known as Yankee Doodle Dandy, for this largess.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

I don’t think Dad is too stoked about my plans either, although he doesn’t say it because he knows I remember him telling me how he used to want to be an entertainer.

From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes

Related Words

• artist