entertain

play

verb en·ter·tain \ˌen-tər-ˈtān\

Definition of entertain

transitive verb
1a archaic : maintainb obsolete : receive
2 : to show hospitality to entertain guests
3a : to keep, hold, or maintain in the mind I entertain grave doubts about her sincerityb : 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

entertainer

noun

See entertain defined for English-language learners

See entertain defined for kids

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 of entertain from the Web

The schedule is packed with activities to entertain the estimated 20,000 attendants that Koce said visit the festival over six days.

— gerald porter jr., Daily Southtown, "Oak Forest celebrates holiday with big festival", 29 June 2017
Some include dirty talk aimed at pleasing the listener, and others include entertaining attempts to count backward from 100 to 0.

— suzannah weiss, Glamour, "10 Porn Sites for Women That You'll Really, Really Enjoy", 26 June 2017
But El Niño ended early last year, and the rise has continued, forcing scientists to entertain far more alarming explanations.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Forests and Oceans Seem to Be Absorbing Less Carbon Than They Used To", 26 June 2017
Vintage baseball teams the Moscow Monarchs and the Hall of Fame Club take the field starting at 4 p.m. Steel Drum Dave will entertain as car and bike enthusiasts check out the custom car/bike show.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "2 Clermont County river towns celebrate July 4, Pierce Twp plans ParkFest", 23 June 2017
Ideal for entertaining, the open concept first-floor living and dining spaces have a contemporary industrial feel.

— chie davis, The Courier-Journal, "Couple renovates 1856 New Albany brewery to stunning 3-bed loft", 22 June 2017
And Spotify held the first of two bashes on the beach, with French rockers Phoenix entertaining the lucky delegates who turned up early enough to get in.

— lara o’reilly, WSJ, "CMO Today: Olympics Security Concerns; Publicis’ Awards Abstention; iPhone 10th Birthday", 21 June 2017
Like, if wants to buy a party boat to entertain fans before football games, or something.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "All-Access: How to get paid to party with college kids", 21 June 2017
Columnist Joseph Goodman will be standing by to entertain AL.com commenters from 10-11 a.m.

— joseph goodman, AL.com, "All-Access: How to get paid to party with college kids", 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entertain'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of entertain

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

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

ENTERTAIN Defined for English Language Learners

entertain

play

verb

Definition of entertain for English Language Learners

: to have people as guests in your home or in a public place (such as a restaurant)
: to perform for (an audience) : to provide amusement for (someone) by singing, acting, etc.
: to provide or be entertainment for (someone)

ENTERTAIN Defined for Kids

entertain

play

verb en·ter·tain \ˌen-tər-ˈtān\

Definition of entertain for Students

entertained

;

entertaining

1 : to host a social event My parents entertain often.
2 : to have as a guest entertain friends
3 : to perform for or provide amusement for Comedians entertained the crowd.
4 : to have in mind She entertained thoughts of quitting.