amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt How to pronounce amusement (audio)
Synonyms of amusementnext
1
: a means of amusing or entertaining
what are her favorite amusements
2
: the condition of being amused
could not hide his amusement
3
: pleasurable diversion : entertainment
plays the piano for amusement

Examples of amusement in a Sentence

I'm reading this novel for amusement. Several games were provided for the education and amusement of the children.
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.
The Instagram video has been liked nearly 75,000 times, sparking reactions ranging from amusement to mild disbelief. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025 Compared with strongholds like Disney and Universal, the amusement-park corporation has faced closures and layoffs and relied on investors such as Travis Kelce to stay afloat. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 The clips have quickly spread online, sparking equal parts awe, amusement, and unease. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025 After a plan to convert the shuttered Gillian's Wonderland Pier site into a luxury resort was rejected this summer, the owner of the former Ocean City, New Jersey, amusement pier announced new plans. Joe Brandt, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amusement

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of amusement was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amusement. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

amusement

noun
amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt How to pronounce amusement (audio)
1
: something that amuses
2
: the condition of being amused

More from Merriam-Webster on amusement

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