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

Apple Just Gave iPhone Users 33 Reasons To Update Now Samsung’s New Update Surprises Galaxy Users—This Changes Everything Another common pitfall is for an entrepreneur who has exited the business to set up shop as a small, single-family office and begin to entertain deals. —Robert Balentine, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

Most schools dismissed requests to disentangle their investments from companies with connections to Israel, but some seem to entertain those pushes more seriously. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024

Because of this, some of you will entertain ideas about working independently or working on your own. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2024

The comfy casserole of tender pasta, meaty sauce and plenty of melty cheese is an excellent option for any weeknight, yet special enough for entertaining guests. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 13 Sep. 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