entertaining

adjective

en·​ter·​tain·​ing ˌen-tər-ˈtā-niŋ How to pronounce entertaining (audio)
: providing entertainment : diverting
an entertaining book
an entertaining speaker
entertainingly adverb

Examples of entertaining in a Sentence

a list of entertaining things to do on a snow day
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.
But the more strategies are built around set pieces, long throws, corner kicks and free kicks, rather than open play, the less entertaining and less enjoyable the game threatens to become. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Honor’s promo depicts the Robot Phone doing everything from entertaining children and taking selfies to skydiving and gazing at the stars. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 The parlor level, which stretches about 105 feet deep, features grand entertaining rooms, a sitting parlor, and a chef’s kitchen housed in a curved glass addition with a custom copper roof. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025 The Ezra Oversized Coffee Table This 47-inch tabletop offers ample space for everything from coffee cups to decorative accents—ideal for both entertaining and everyday use. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for entertaining

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entertaining was in 1582

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Cite this Entry

“Entertaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertaining. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

entertaining

adjective
en·​ter·​tain·​ing ˌen-tər-ˈtān-iŋ How to pronounce entertaining (audio)
: providing amusement, diversion, or recreation
an entertaining book
entertainingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on entertaining

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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