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

My guess is the players might work a little harder to entertain the fans instead of turning what should have been a showcase event into the embarrassment that was this year’s All-Star Weekend. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Write Out Loud — an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience — has announced its 20th season of Story Concerts. — Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Emma Woodhouse entertains herself by meddling in the romantic affairs of her neighbors. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

And those just interested in being entertained will have plenty of music to enjoy throughout the weekend. — Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 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