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
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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.
Jessica amused herself by preparing her father for the tremors of future old age: She would jostle his hand as he tried to drink his tea.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
He’s been slightly confused but mostly amused by all the messages.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
Judge Julie Mata, who was presiding over the paternity case, wasn’t as amused.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
"We can't even fill the coffee cups to the brim or they spill," his son Linus, 19, added with an air of amused exasperation.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
He presses his lips together as if I’ve amused him, but he doesn’t want to make me any madder by showing it.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
