amused

[ uh-myoozd ]
/ əˈmyuzd /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR amused ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted.
displaying amusement: an amused expression on her face.
aroused to mirth.

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Origin of amused

First recorded in 1590–1600; amuse + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM amused

a·mus·ed·ly [uh-myoo-zid-lee] /əˈmyu zɪd li/, adverbun·a·mused, adjectivewell-a·mused, adjective

Words nearby amused

amurca, amusable, amuse, amuse-bouche, amuse-gueule, amused, amusement, amusement arcade, amusement park, amusement tax, amusia

Definition for amused (2 of 2)

amuse
[ uh-myooz ]
/ əˈmyuz /

verb (used with object), a·mused, a·mus·ing.

to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner: She amused the guests with witty conversation.
to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in: The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.
to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.
Archaic. to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.
Obsolete.
  1. to engross; absorb.
  2. to puzzle; distract.

Origin of amuse

1470–80; < Middle French amuser “to divert, amuse”; see a-5, muse

synonym study for amuse

Amuse, divert, entertain mean to occupy the attention with something pleasant. That which amuses is usually playful or humorous and pleases the fancy. Divert implies turning the attention from serious thoughts or pursuits to something light, amusing, or lively. That which entertains usually does so because of a plan or program that engages and holds the attention by being pleasing and sometimes instructive.

usage note for amuse

See bemuse.

OTHER WORDS FROM amuse

a·mus·a·ble, adjectivea·mus·er, nounun·a·mus·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·mus·a·bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to amused

entertained, diverted

Example sentences from the Web for amused

British Dictionary definitions for amused

amuse
/ (əˈmjuːz) /

verb (tr)

to keep pleasantly occupied; entertain; divert
to cause to laugh or smile

Word Origin for amuse

C15: from Old French amuser to cause to be idle, from muser to muse 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012