amusing

[uh-myoo-zing]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR amusing ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pleasantly entertaining or diverting: an amusing speaker.

causing laughter or mirth; humorously entertaining: an amusing joke.

Origin of amusing

First recorded in 1590–1600; amuse + -ing²

Related formsa·mus·ing·ly, adverba·mus·ing·ness, nounqua·si-a·mus·ing, adjectivequa·si-a·mus·ing·ly, adverbun·a·mus·ing, adjectiveun·a·mus·ing·ly, adverbun·a·mus·ing·ness, noun

Synonyms for amusing

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR amusing ON THESAURUS.COM

1. charming, cheering, lively. 2. laughable, delightful, funny.

Synonym study

2. Amusing, comical, droll describe that which causes mirth. That which is amusing is quietly humorous or funny in a gentle, good-humored way: The baby's attempts to talk were amusing. That which is comical causes laughter by being incongruous, witty, or ludicrous: His huge shoes made the clown look comical. Droll adds to comical the idea of strange or peculiar, and sometimes that of sly or waggish humor: the droll antics of a kitten; a droll imitation.

amuse

[uh-myooz]

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.

to engross; absorb.
to puzzle; distract.

Origin of amuse

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

Related formsa·mus·a·ble, adjectivea·mus·er, nounun·a·mus·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·mus·a·bly, adverb

Synonyms for amuse

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR amuse ON THESAURUS.COM

1. please, charm, cheer.

Synonym study

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

See bemuse.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for amusing

enjoyable, gratifying, diverting, humorous, interesting, charming, engaging, delightful, lively, fun, droll, entertaining, pleasing, pleasant, comical, campy, camp, cheering, enchanting, joshing

Examples from the Web for amusing

Contemporary Examples of amusing

But his ranking Democratic member just told an amusing story about Issa.
Kissy-Face The Nation: Washington’s Power Elite Smooch Bob Schieffer
Lloyd Grove
November 18, 2014
He's polite and amusing, inventing comic voices to deceive friends.
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up
Tom Boswell
September 27, 2014
A comedy titan who was always the center of attention, amusing even the most hardened of cynics with his manic energy.
Robin Williams, Hollywood’s Grand Jester, Is Dead at 63
Marlow Stern
August 12, 2014
But for every amusing World Cup story like this one, there seems to be at least one that infuriates.
What Is It About Soccer That Brings Out the Hooligan in Its Fans?
Bill Morris
June 25, 2014
Less than a month later, Christie got the least amusing news of his career.
Christie Aides Can Keep Bridgegate Emails Under Wraps
Olivia Nuzzi
April 10, 2014

Historical Examples of amusing

The husband in my case was to be an inconvenience, but doubtless an amusing one.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
It is amusing to read Tarleton's pompous account of this pursuit.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
William Dobein James
The girl was amusing enough, and, indeed, a most likable person at her best.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
I felt as if I were amusing a nice boy; he hardly came to my shoulder.
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
And now I have told you almost all that is amusing or instructive in the childhood of Christina.
Biographical Stories
Nathaniel Hawthorne

British Dictionary definitions for amusing

amusing

adjective

mildly entertaining; pleasantly diverting; causing a smile or laugh

Derived Formsamusingly, adverb

amuse

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

Word Origin and History for amusing

adj.

c.1600, "cheating;" present participle adjective from amuse (v.). Sense of "interesting" is from 1712; that of "pleasantly entertaining, tickling to the fancy" is from 1826. Noted late 1920s as a vogue word. Amusive has been tried in all senses since 18c. and might be useful, but it never caught on. Related: Amusingly.

amuse

late 15c., "to divert the attention, beguile, delude," from Middle French amuser "divert, cause to muse," from a "at, to" (but here probably a causal prefix) + muser "ponder, stare fixedly" (see muse (v.)). Sense of "divert from serious business, tickle the fancy of" is recorded from 1630s, but through 18c. the primary meaning was "deceive, cheat" by first occupying the attention. Bemuse retains more of the original meaning. Related: Amused; amusing.