amused
Americanadjective
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pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted.
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displaying amusement.
an amused expression on her face.
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aroused to mirth.
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The few protesters taunted the agents, who mostly amused themselves.
From Slate • May 29, 2026
His antics in recent days have been keeping crowds amused, including scratching against metal posts, and rolling into the water while asleep.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
After a brief reprieve following the end of Coachella, we find ourselves in the desert again for Stagecoach — hot, dusty and eager to be amused.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026
So when he and his wife, photographer Ryane Shields, decided to build a California home in 2018, they were amused to discover that the lot they selected was shaped like a baseball diamond.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Gingersnipes snorted, amused at Clare getting a taste of his own medicine, which was admittedly bitter.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
