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Showing results for entertaining. Search instead for unpertaining.
Synonyms

entertaining

American  
[en-ter-tey-ning] / ˌɛn tərˈteɪ nɪŋ /

adjective

  1. affording entertainment; amusing; diverting.

    We spent an entertaining evening at the theater.
entertaining British  
/ ˌɛntəˈteɪnɪŋ /

adjective

  1. serving to entertain or give pleasure; diverting; amusing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • entertainingly adverb
  • nonentertaining adjective
  • quasi-entertaining adjective
  • self-entertaining adjective
  • unentertaining adjective
  • unentertainingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of entertaining

First recorded in 1615–25; entertain + -ing 2

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.

Hockey is a great pick if you want something fast-paced and entertaining, even if you’re not a die-hard fan.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

This can be thought-provoking or entertaining, and often holds power to account in the same way mainstream journalists do.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Inside the primary structure, visitors will find bright open spaces, elegant design details, and many communal living areas, ideal for those with a fondness for entertaining.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

What’s the difference between personal and professional entertaining for you?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

All this was particularly taxing for Galileo since he loved spending money himself, enjoying fine wines and good food, and entertaining his friends generously whenever he was in funds.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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.