entertain
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.
- Antonyms:
- bore
-
to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to.
-
to admit into the mind; consider.
He never entertained such ideas.
- Antonyms:
- reject
-
to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish.
They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge.
-
Archaic. to maintain or keep up.
-
Obsolete. to give admittance or reception to; receive.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to provide amusement for (a person or audience)
-
to show hospitality to (guests)
-
(tr) to hold in the mind
to entertain an idea
Related Words
See amuse.
Other Word Forms
- overentertained adjective
- preentertain verb (used with object)
- unentertained adjective
- well-entertained adjective
Etymology
Origin of entertain
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”
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.
“It has gorgeous views, huge bedrooms, perfect for someone who wants to entertain outside,” says Wilkinson.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
Buying a ticket and travelling to Liverpool is not a binding agreement that Scotland will entertain, score and win.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
And with each 600-word essay I try to revitalize, I am reminded of our daily cultural choice: either to lean back and let technology entertain us, work for us, be us—or to live.
From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026
What made “M*A*S*H” so special as a comedy and drama was the writers’ and actors’ ability to entertain while exposing the human toll on those who served.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
"Like a court magician paid to entertain royal children with fireworks and tricks?"
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
