amusement
Americannoun
-
anything that amuses or entertains; pastime.
The park offers authentic Danish charm and an array of amusements and thrill rides.
- Synonyms:
- game
-
the act of amusing or entertaining; diversion.
He invented indoor golf games for his own amusement, and for the amusement of his children.
-
the state of being amused; enjoyment.
Mom couldn't hide her amusement when my little sister tried to make dinner.
- Synonyms:
- delight
noun
-
something that amuses, such as a game or other pastime
-
a mechanical device used for entertainment, as at a fair
-
the act of amusing or the state or quality of being amused
Other Word Forms
- self-amusement noun
Etymology
Origin of amusement
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French; amuse, -ment
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.
He insisted the event was real, sparking both disbelief and amusement among peers and online observers alike.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
According to Tani, Trump’s buzzing iPhone has become a source of amusement at the White House.
From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026
"It brings a lot of amusement to many people," she said.
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026
Drive-in movie theaters catered to the growing suburban, car-driving population, fast-food chains like McDonald’s made eating out affordable for more families, and amusement parks proliferated after the opening of Disneyland in 1955.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026
Mater Lumley sipped her coffee with a look of private amusement.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
