amused
Americanadjective
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pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted.
-
displaying amusement.
an amused expression on her face.
-
aroused to mirth.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of amused
First recorded in 1590–1600; amuse + -ed 2 ( def. )
Compare meaning
How does amused compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The word amused means "pleasantly occupied" or "entertained.” If you love dogs, you’ll be amused just watching puppies frolic in the park all day. If you love everything, you’re easily amused. Amuse comes from the Middle French word amuser, meaning "to divert the attention, beguile, delude." If on a boring rainy afternoon, you amused everyone, you entertained everyone, probably making them laugh. If you were ever told, "I'm not amused," however, this goes beyond not finding something funny — that person might be angry and offended at something you said or did.
Vocabulary lists containing amused
In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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Hooked on a Feeling, List 2
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Positive and Uplifting Tones
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Barantini was more amused by the reaction and says he doesn't think "small things like that matter".
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander apparently isn’t amused by a new board game that pokes fun at the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s reputation for garnering foul calls at the hint of contact by an opposing player.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
The few protesters taunted the agents, who mostly amused themselves.
From Slate ● May 29, 2026
Abbasi appeared to be amused by this and said: "I will take some photos from there."
From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026
Mr. and Mrs. Hardy traded an amused look.
From "A Monster of a Mystery (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #5)" by Franklin W. Dixon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
