- 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.
Upon entering the dwelling, guests are greeted with classic Hamptons charm and modern luxury, offering vaulted ceilings, five fireplaces, a sunken living room, formal dining room, and an expansive chef’s kitchen designed for entertaining.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
And it’s also one of the easiest entertaining tricks a home cook can borrow.
From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026
A week earlier, Iran had opened its campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against New Zealand, a result that left qualification hopes alive but increased the importance of the Belgium match.
From Barron's • Jun. 21, 2026
She’s earned a reputation for putting on entertaining sold-out shows and released a strong follow-up LP—“Guts” in 2023—that won critical raves and a Grammy nomination for album of the year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
She'd heard their excuse—different versions of it—time and time again, but they were always so entertaining that she was game to hear it once more.
From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
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.
