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

But “Venetian Vespers” is more entertaining than sobering; a stylish escapade that even Henry James might relish.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Throughout their career, they entertained fans on numerous tours and played major stages including Glastonbury's The Other Stage and Reading and Leeds Festival.

Read more on BBC

He sang country music, which “serious” critics treat the same way they treat horror and comedy—as a lesser genre, entertaining but basic.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Call it the Topgolfication of the sport—a reference to Topgolf, a popular chain that offers food, drinks and an entertaining driving range.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But to qualify for the genre itself—and satisfy the base demands of the base—a movie is required to both accelerate toward lunacy and entertain a certain amount of mayhem.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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