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

With head-scratching lyrics like, “Why should a land have so much meaning when dark times befall it? It’s just a land made of dirt and rock,” they confuse far more than they entertain.

Read more on Salon

She believed the best novels entertained with “wit and humour” and conveyed “knowledge of human nature.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As the No. 1 Test team in the world, they believe that Bazball is just a funny term for more entertaining cricket—something Australians have specialized in for a long time.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

D’Aquino’s defense: She had been slyly subverting the propaganda machine the whole time, entertaining Americans with facetious language no one could take seriously and introducing upbeat American music the GIs actually loved.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s a splurge, yes, but one that transforms backyard entertaining, whether you’re cheering on the big game or settling in for movie night under the stars.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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