entertain

[en-ter-teyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.

   Synonyms: regale, beguile
   Antonyms: bore

2. to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to.

3. to admit into the mind; consider.

   He never entertained such ideas.

   Antonyms: reject

4. to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish.

   They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge.

5. Archaic.,  to maintain or keep up.

6. Obsolete.,  to give admittance or reception to; receive.

verb (used without object)

1. to exercise hospitality; entertain company; provide entertainment for guests.

   They loved to talk, dance, and entertain.

entertain

/ ˌɛntəˈteɪn /

verb

1. to provide amusement for (a person or audience)

2. to show hospitality to (guests)

3. (tr) to hold in the mind

   to entertain an idea

Other Word Forms

• overentertained adjective
• preentertain verb (used with object)
• unentertained adjective
• well-entertained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of entertain¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English entertenen “to hold mutually,” from Middle French entretenir, ultimately from Vulgar Latin intertenēre (unrecorded), from Latin inter- inter- + tenēre “to hold”

Word History and Origins

Origin of entertain¹

C15: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre

Synonym Study

See amuse.

Example Sentences

“We both do 3½-hour shows to entertain people.”

From Los Angeles Times

For more than a century it has entertained generations of families with its mixture of classic rides and nostalgic arcades.

From BBC

On Thursday, Evans entertained a guest with secret service stature.

From Los Angeles Times

About 170 million Americans use TikTok, known for its viral entertaining videos.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, it is clearly a path that he is willing, at the very least, to publicly entertain.

From BBC

Related Words

• beguile 
• captivate 
• charm 
• cheer 
• comfort 
• delight 
• distract 
• enthrall 
• gratify 
• inspire 
• please 
• regale 
• relax 
• satisfy