entertain

verb

en·​ter·​tain ˌen-tər-ˈtān How to pronounce entertain (audio)
entertained; entertaining; entertains

transitive verb

1
: to show hospitality to
entertain guests
2
: to provide entertainment for
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 play against (an opposing team) on one's home field or court
5
a
archaic : maintain
b
obsolete : receive

intransitive verb

: to provide entertainment especially for guests
entertainer noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mole Man / Harvey Elder has some scenes played by the always entertaining Paul Walter Hauser. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025 The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025 Similarly, the Rockies would entertain calls on reliever Seth Halvorsen, but would want a big return. Katie Woo, New York Times, 25 July 2025 Disney’s Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires is keeping kids and families entertained this summer, raking in 9.3M views globally in its first 10 days on Disney+, Deadline can reveal exclusively. Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for entertain

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5a

Time Traveler
The first known use of entertain was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertain. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

entertain

verb
en·​ter·​tain ˌent-ər-ˈtān How to pronounce entertain (audio)
1
: to receive and provide for as host : have as a guest
entertain friends over the weekend
2
a
: to provide entertainment
b
: to be a source of entertainment for
entertained us with stories
3
: to have in mind : consider
entertained thoughts of quitting
entertainer
ˌen-tər-ˈtā-nər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on entertain

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