entertain
verb (used with object)
to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.
were entertaining
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past progressiveof entertain.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Twenty years ago, Americans were entertaining themselves in exactly the same ways they do now.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
One swallow doesn't make a summer, but here England were entertaining and undeniably brilliant.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2025
To be sure, the plays were entertaining, with singing and dancing and awards for the best at the end of the festival.
From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2024
Not too long after that, the 49ers were entertaining the notion of signing Tom Brady.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2022
While we were entertaining ourselves with the light switch, Mama turned a knob in a white tub.
From "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" by Michaela DePrince
