entertain

1 of 2

verb

en·​ter·​tain ˌen-tər-ˈtān How to pronounce entertain (audio)
ˌin-
entertained; entertaining; entertains
Synonyms of entertain

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

entertainer

2 of 2

noun

en·​ter·​tain·​er
¦entə(r)¦tānə(r)
plural -s
: one that entertains
the rest of the stories are mostly well-written slick-magazine entertainers—Taliaferro Boatwright
specifically : one who entertains professionally
sent a troupe of entertainers to the fighting front

Synonyms of entertain

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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

Verb 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The two men have entertained them by doing cartwheels, blowing bubbles and playing tag. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 In the early ‘60s, the Tower Theater’s films entertained Cuban refugees and introduced them to American culture, making the theater a cultural cornerstone for the local Cuban community. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 My job is to give people joy and entertain them and take them away from, frankly, at the moment, some of the misery of life, where they can get lost in the live gig for two hours. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for entertain

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of entertain was in the 15th century

Rhymes for entertain

See All Rhymes for entertain

Browse Nearby Words

enter someone's mind/head
entertain
entertainer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertain. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

entertain

verb
en·​ter·​tain ˌent-ər-ˈtān How to pronounce entertain (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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