entertain

verb en·ter·tain \ ˌen-tər-ˈtān \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

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Examples: entertain in a Sentence

Definition of entertain

entertained; entertaining; entertains

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

—

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

One of the four Original Kings of Comedy, along with Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, and the late Bernie Mac, Cedric has been entertaining since 1987.

— bethany ao, Philly.com, "7 days of things to do in Philadelphia from July 15 to 21," 12 July 2018
Though Britain prides itself on projecting pageantry and high theater in its politics, Brexit’s 774 days have better resembled local pantomime: a weak cast, bad jokes, and little to entertain out-of-towners.

— sean williams, The New Republic, "England’s World Cup Team: the Anti-Brexit," 10 July 2018
By Travis Long Related stories from Sacramento Bee Why 'Jurassic World' star Chris Pratt made a surprise visit to Vacaville Looking for a low-cost way to entertain the kids this summer?

— gabby ferreira, sacbee, "A TV show is leaving Georgia for California — thanks to tax credits," 3 July 2018
Magician to entertain Singer, songwriter, guitarist and magician Mary Macaroni will perform for children at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, at the Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 29 June 2018
Unable to cook and despairing of the central role a beanbag chair plays in their interior design concept, the hapless couple decides charring meat outdoors is the least humiliating way to entertain their friends.

— irene hsiao, Chicago Reader, "It's the end of the world at the Barbecue Apocalypse and nobody feels fine," 29 June 2018
Still, the consequences of a U.S. withdrawal are so immense that many are refusing to entertain the idea.

— renae reints, Fortune, "Trump Said to Seek U.S. Withdrawal From the World Trade Organization," 29 June 2018
So Trump’s got plenty of time to entertain — and distract — us before making the final choice.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The First Big SCOTUS Rumor Sends Senator Mike Lee to the Bench," 28 June 2018
More information is needed before Clermont County Board of Commissioners President Ed Humphrey is willing to entertain a lodging tax motion for FC Cincinnati's practice facility.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "With 37 weeks to go before practice, FC Cincinnati has a few more hurdles in Milford," 27 June 2018

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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

entertain Synonyms

Synonyms

amuse, disport, divert, regale, solace;

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;

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;

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

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)