entertain

verb

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en·ter·tain | \ ˌen-tər-ˈtān

entertained; entertaining; entertains

Definition of entertain

transitive verb

1 : to show hospitality to entertain guests

2 : to provide entertainment for

3a : 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

5a archaic : maintain

b obsolete : receive

intransitive verb

: to provide entertainment especially for guests

Other Words from entertain Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About entertain

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

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 Perhaps unsurprisingly, no curator was willing to entertain this idea. — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 8 May 2022 Virginia is a longshot to reach the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team, meaning Clark could entertain the idea of coming back for a fifth year to get another shot at March Madness. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2022 The ladies refuse to even entertain the idea of the look on themselves. — Devon Abelman, Allure, 4 May 2022 The Hallmarks liked to entertain, opening their home in Warrior to friends and family members. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 30 Apr. 2022 These chalkboard cheese markers are a no-brainer for any mom who loves to entertain. — Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 2022 Warner filed his first demurrer challenging her lawsuit in October, saying Walters’ claims were too old for a civil court judge to even entertain. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2022 Alsea was the first district to defy the state mandate, but not the first district or school board to entertain the idea. — oregonlive, 22 Feb. 2022 Interestingly, Edwards isn't the first person to entertain the idea of the Cardinals trading Murray for Mayfield. — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2022 See More

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.