amusing

[uh-myoo-zing]

adjective

1. pleasantly entertaining or diverting.

   an amusing speaker.

   Synonyms: lively, engaging, pleasing, charming

2. causing laughter or mirth; humorously entertaining.

   an amusing joke.

   Synonyms: funny, humorous, laughable

amusing

/ əˈmjuːzɪŋ /

adjective

1. mildly entertaining; pleasantly diverting; causing a smile or laugh

Other Word Forms

• amusingly adverb
• amusingness noun
• quasi-amusing adjective
• quasi-amusingly adverb
• unamusing adjective
• unamusingly adverb
• unamusingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of amusing¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; amuse + -ing ²

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Much of the reason the Ripa-Consuelos team has been successful on TV is that they are enthusiastic, quarrelsome in an amusing way, but also intense.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Fox has assembled a lightly amusing scrapbook of memories, suitable for a very short flight, aimed directly at devoted fans of “Back to the Future.”

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Many of the portrayals are mischievous and amusing.

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“It is amusing that there’s a famous white alligator and an AI both named Claude out there in the world,” Claude said.

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“Watching Dunlap try to recreate himself as a progressive would be amusing if it were not so cynical,” Golden said.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• campy 
• charming 
• comical 
• delightful 
• diverting 
• droll 
• engaging 
• enjoyable 
• entertaining 
• fun 
• gratifying 
• humorous 
• interesting 
• lively 
• pleasant 
• pleasing