- present participle of entertain.
entertaining
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of entertaining
Explanation
Things that are entertaining are enjoyable and distracting. Going to the circus is an entertaining way to spend an afternoon. Activities like playing games and watching movies can be entertaining, and you can also describe a friend who's particularly funny or fun to be with as entertaining. The adjective comes from the related verb, entertain, which meant "keep up, maintain, or keep someone in a certain frame of mind" in the fifteenth century. It comes from the Old French entretenir, "hold together."
Vocabulary lists containing entertaining
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.
In June, he added novelist to an already stacked resume with “Palmdale,” his incredibly entertaining dirtbag-noir debut about a PI and his estranged daughter reuniting over a case.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
I found it highly entertaining and fun, if more intellectually than emotionally moving.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
A large swimming pool serves as the centerpiece of the outdoor entertaining space, with the elevated setting providing views of the city skyline and nearby mountains.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026
After monitoring practice, debriefing his team and entertaining sponsors under the floodlights, he winds down for bed around 3:30 a.m., which is 9:30 p.m. back in central Europe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Alex assumed that the main house was used for entertaining.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
