amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

ENTERTAIN definition: 1. to keep a group of people interested or enjoying themselves: 2. to invite someone to your home…. Learn more.

ENTERTAIN definition: to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse. See examples of entertain used in a sentence.

1. To hold the attention of (someone) with something amusing or diverting. See Synonyms at amuse. 2. To extend hospitality toward: entertain friends at dinner. 3. a. To consider; contemplate: entertain …

If you entertain an idea or suggestion, you allow yourself to consider it as possible or as worth thinking about seriously.

entertain, v. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Feb 21, 2026 · entertain (third-person singular simple present entertains, present participle entertaining, simple past and past participle entertained) (transitive) to amuse (someone); to engage the attention …

(transitive) to hold in the mind: to entertain an idea Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre

Entertain definition: To hold the attention of (someone) with something amusing or diverting.

If you want to entertain, you've got to hold people's attention, usually with something amusing. Clowns, music, silly jokes, and a good game of charades can all be used to entertain.