entertain

verb

en·​ter·​tain ˌen-tər-ˈtān 

entertained; entertaining; entertains

transitive verb

1

: to show hospitality to

entertain guests

2

: to provide entertainment for

3

a

: to keep, hold, or maintain in the mind

I entertain grave doubts about her sincerity.

b

: to receive and take into consideration

refused to entertain our plea

4

: to play against (an opposing team) on one's home field or court

5

a

archaic : maintain

b

obsolete : receive

intransitive verb

: to provide entertainment especially for guests

entertainer noun

Synonyms

• amuse
• disport
• divert
• regale
• solace

Choose the Right Synonym for entertain

amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly.

amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

Examples of entertain in a Sentence

They like to entertain their friends at their summer home.

Much of his job as a salesman involves entertaining clients.

Jugglers were on hand to entertain the crowd.

Our father entertained us with stories.

Our father's stories entertained us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Frolova-Walker and Walker, at the end of their book on the Shostakovich Fifth, entertain an enticing possibility: What if the work actually had nothing to do with Stalin? —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024

Six rounds into the eight-round match—which ended in a unanimous decision for Paul—the commentator Rosie Perez, a longtime friend of Tyson’s, dropped any pretense of being entertained. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024

As for what is available from the kitchen of the woman who once owned the most Weight Watchers franchises in the world, there’s not a ton from that area of the home – but Mark loved to entertain and hosted many a fundraiser in the lower level of her home, Stearn said. —Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024

Sabrina Carpenter launched her Phoenix concert with 'Taste' Carpenter's theatrics and facial expressions throughout the night were enough to keep you entertained all on their own, and her strong vocals were the cherry on top of a fun evening. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English entertinen, from Middle French entretenir, from entre- inter- + tenir to hold — more at tenable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5a

Kids Definition

entertain

verb

en·​ter·​tain ˌent-ər-ˈtān 

1

: to receive and provide for as host : have as a guest

entertain friends over the weekend

2

a

: to provide entertainment

b

: to be a source of entertainment for

entertained us with stories

3

: to have in mind : consider

entertained thoughts of quitting

entertainer

ˌen-tər-ˈtā-nər

noun