Definition of entertain
transitive verb
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
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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
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Just as Outshine serves the South Florida LGBTQ community, TLVFest serves the Israeli LGBTQ community by bringing quality LGBTQ-themed content from all over the world in multiple languages that not only educate but entertain.
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For example, Trump has entertained bringing his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie, more formally back into the fold.
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The 299-seat performance space in the Black Ensemble Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark St., annually hosts a five-play season with programming created to be entertaining, educating and uplifting.
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Missing in that conversation, though is a more simple fact: David Lynch is out to entertain.
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Two weeks ago, Durr entertained preschoolers at Brookhaven Academy, a Christian school in town.
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Summer soon arrives, and the big planets Jupiter and Saturn will entertain evening onlookers, Venus will distract morning dog walkers and Mars starts a season-long hiatus.
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To this day, plenty of skepticism exists throughout the league that James and Dwyane Wade, who had taken two meetings with Bulls brass over the previous two days, entertained the Bulls seriously.
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From abstract art to antique airplanes, San Diego-area museums are filled with treasures that will educate, entertain and inspire.
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
Synonym Discussion of entertain
ENTERTAIN Defined for English Language Learners
entertain
playDefinition of entertain for English Language Learners
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: to have people as guests in your home or in a public place (such as a restaurant)
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: to perform for (an audience) : to provide amusement for (someone) by singing, acting, etc.
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: to provide or be entertainment for (someone)
ENTERTAIN Defined for Kids
entertain
playDefinition 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.
Learn More about entertain
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for entertain Spanish Central: Translation of entertain Nglish: Translation of entertain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of entertain for Arabic speakers
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