entertain

en·ter·tain

verb \ˌen-tər-ˈtān\

Definition of ENTERTAIN

transitive verb

1

a archaic : maintain

b obsolete : receive

2

: to show hospitality to <entertain guests>

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 provide entertainment for

5

: to play against (an opposing team) on one's home field or court

intransitive verb

: to provide entertainment especially for guests

— en·ter·tain·er noun

Examples of ENTERTAIN

1. They like to entertain their friends at their summer home.
2. Much of his job as a salesman involves entertaining clients.
3. Jugglers were on hand to entertain the crowd.
4. Our father entertained us with stories.
5. Our father's stories entertained us.

Origin of ENTERTAIN

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ENTERTAIN

Synonyms

disport, divert, amuse, regale, solace

Related Words

absorb, busy, distract, engage, engross, immerse, interest, involve, occupy; beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall (or enthral), fascinate; grip, hypnotize, intrigue, mesmerize; coddle, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, please, pleasure, spoil; appease, comfort, conciliate, console, content, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, soothe

Near Antonyms

bore, jade; drain, enervate, exhaust, fatigue, tire, wear, wear out, weary; aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, disturb, exasperate, fret, gall, grate, harass, harry, irk, nettle, peeve, perturb, pester, pique, upset, vex

See Synonym Discussion at amuse