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

Southern Kitchen After entertaining extended family and cooking a robust Thanksgiving dinner one short month before, Myles Moody says his mother kept the food simple on Christmas morning growing up. —The Tennessean, 27 Dec. 2024

Why does Gi-hun even entertain The Recruiter’s proposal to play Russian Roulette to win the information The Recruiter has about the people behind the Squid Game? —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Dec. 2024

Image Near Campus Martius Park in Detroit, a member of the Detroit Circus wore a dreidel hat and entertained a crowd at a menorah lighting. —Philip Pacheco, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Oversized picture windows and wide entryways allow for entertaining with ease, where guests and loved ones can mix and mingle and float from room to room with water views as their constant companion. —Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 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