entertain

1 of 2

verb

en·​ter·​tain ˌen-tər-ˈtān 

ˌin-

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

entertainer

2 of 2

noun

en·​ter·​tain·​er

¦entə(r)¦tānə(r)

plural -s

: one that entertains

the rest of the stories are mostly well-written slick-magazine entertainers

—Taliaferro Boatwright

specifically : one who entertains professionally

sent a troupe of entertainers to the fighting front

Synonyms of entertain

Verb

• amuse
• regale

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

Verb

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

Verb

Keep the kids entertained this summer with this fun magnetic building set. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

How refreshing that the oft-ridiculous notion of Team USA actually winning it all is being entertained at least somewhat plausible. —Greg Cote june 22, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

Unfortunately for Stephenson and Beasley, the league wasn't nearly as entertained. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

Some of these Bay Area Shakira supporters had surely seen this show before, back when the Colombian pop star entertained some 33,000 music lovers on a chilly June night at Oracle Park in San Francisco in 2025. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Rhymes for entertain

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane
• inhumane

Kids Definition

entertain

verb

en·​ter·​tain ˌent-ər-ˈtān 

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