entertainer

American  

[en-ter-tey-ner] / ˌɛn tərˈteɪ nər /

noun

1. a singer, comedian, dancer, reciter, or the like, especially a professional one.

2. a person who entertains; host.

   She was one of the capital's great entertainers.

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entertainer British  

/ ˌɛntəˈteɪnə /

noun

1. a professional singer, comedian, or other performer who takes part in public entertainments

2. any person who entertains

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Other Word Forms

• preentertainer noun

Etymology

Origin of entertainer

First recorded in 1525–35; entertain + -er ¹

Explanation

An entertainer is a person whose job or goal is to perform for the amusement of others. If you're an entertainer, you might learn how to tap dance and take singing lessons. If you make your living as a comedian, you're an entertainer. You're also an entertainer if you're a dancer, singer, actor, or puppeteer. In all of these cases, your job is to entertain an audience. You can also call the member of your family who's always trying to make everyone laugh an entertainer. The word comes from the verb entertain, which originally meant "to keep up or maintain," and came to also mean "amuse" in the early 17th century.

Example Sentences

The longtime prime minister proved to be a better entertainer than he was a builder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The entertainer was one of the most familiar faces on British TV for several decades before he died of prostate cancer in 2003 at the age of 75.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

At a party hosted at a 1950s house remodeled in an over-the-top Hollywood Regency style by Liberace, an impersonator of the flamboyant entertainer took requests from guests at the piano.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Michael B. Jordan, who won for actor in a motion picture, also won entertainer of the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

On the court she’s a true entertainer, and the crowd always goes wild for her silly antics.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

Related Words

• artist