entertain
verb (used with object)
to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.
had been entertaining
-
past perfect progressiveof entertain.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.
Moments before, Tower of Power had been entertaining the crowd with its muscular, horn-led funk.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2024
Electronika had been entertaining crowds in Tennessee for two decades, and the job had never seemed more dangerous.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 3, 2022
In mid-April, performers with the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular had been entertaining families in Adelaide, a city on the south Australian coast about 400 miles northwest of Melbourne.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 19, 2021
During the festival’s first year, Mr. Sinise stepped off a plane from Iraq, where he had been entertaining troops with his Lt.
From Washington Times ● May 18, 2015
As I recall, I was rung for late one night - it was past midnight - to the drawing room where his lordship had been entertaining three gentlemen since dinner.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
