amusement
Americannoun
-
amusements
plural
-
anything that amuses or entertains; pastime.
The park offers authentic Danish charm and an array of amusements and thrill rides.
- Synonyms:
- game
-
the act of amusing or entertaining; diversion.
He invented indoor golf games for his own amusement, and for the amusement of his children.
-
the state of being amused; enjoyment.
Mom couldn't hide her amusement when my little sister tried to make dinner.
- Synonyms:
- delight
noun
-
something that amuses, such as a game or other pastime
-
a mechanical device used for entertainment, as at a fair
-
the act of amusing or the state or quality of being amused
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of amusement
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French; see origin at amuse, -ment
Explanation
Amusement is a feeling of being entertained and happy. Just think about how you feel when you visit an amusement park, and you will get the idea. When something amuses you, it makes you laugh, holds your attention, entertains you, or all three. An amusement is an activity that produces that type of feeling. Watching a basketball game and flying a kite are amusements. Also, doing something fun fills you with the emotion of amusement. To amuse is to entertain, and when you add the suffix -ment to the end of the verb, you get the noun or the feeling you gain from being amused.
Vocabulary lists containing amusement
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Enjoy! Synonyms for "Pleasure"
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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.
See Examples For:
The lawsuit filed in September by Parton's longtime manager Danny Nozell accused her nephew, Bryan Seaver, of attempting to extort money from the estate, which includes an amusement park, a hotel and a soon-to-be-opened museum.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
A failed press secretary provided great amusement for a week or so.
From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026
Mizuho analyst Ben Chaiken slashed his price target in half, warning that the amusement park operator needs to accelerate operations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026
“I’m a big amusement park person and my favorite ride at Six Flags is the newish CatWoman Whip,” he wrote.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
“I know,” said Wanda, and the glare she fixed on her face made another wave of amusement pass over Moss.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Aeon Fantasy, an amusements subsidiary of the sprawling Aeon Group, opened its first area dedicated to food and household prizes targeting mothers in October 2025.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026
Admissions to spectator amusements also buoyed consumer spending during the second quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Much like its kiddie counterpart, Chuck’s Arcade offers a blend of retro and modern amusements — classics like Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat sit alongside newer fare like Halo and Connect Four Hoops.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2025
Ride owners, or controllers, are responsible for making sure their amusements are safe by having them thoroughly inspected.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2025
“Well, I like to hear about cricket and boating and hunting,” said Frank, who had not yet learned to suit his amusements to his strength.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
