amuse
verb (used with object)
to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner.
had been amusing
-
past perfect progressiveof amuse.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Dr Wills said it had been amusing to watch the internet debate unfold, but "the answer is still no", humans will not evolve into crabs.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2025
They knew where he was when he supposed himself invisible, and they had been amusing themselves at his expense.
From Camp-fire and Wigwam by Edward Sylvester Ellis
The party had been amusing themselves with a life-buoy, and one of them called attention to the distance two children, aged respectively eleven and fifteen, were out.
From The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 29, May 1893 An Illustrated Monthly by Various
Could it be possible that she was nothing more or less than a coquette who had been amusing herself at my expense?
From Fr?d?rique; vol. 1 by Charles Paul de Kock
He had been amusing himself, just before he went out, with further suggestions for his story.
From Lippincott's Magazine, September, 1885 by Various
