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View synonyms for

entertain

[ en-ter-teyn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to.
  3. to admit into the mind; consider:

    He never entertained such ideas.

    Antonyms:

  4. to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish:

    They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge.

  5. Archaic. to maintain or keep up.
  6. Obsolete. to give admittance or reception to; receive.


verb (used without object)

  1. to exercise hospitality; entertain company; provide entertainment for guests:

    They loved to talk, dance, and entertain.

entertain

/ ˌɛԳəˈٱɪ /

verb

  1. to provide amusement for (a person or audience)
  2. to show hospitality to (guests)
  3. tr to hold in the mind

    to entertain an idea

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • v·t·ٲԱ adjective
  • e·ٱ·ٲ verb (used with object)
  • ܲe·ٱ·ٲԱ adjective
  • ɱ-·ٱ·ٲԱ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of entertain1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English entertenen “to hold mutually,” from Middle French entretenir, ultimately from Vulgar Latin Գٱٱŧ (unrecorded), from Latin inter- inter- + ٱŧ “to hold”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of entertain1

C15: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin ٱŧ
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Synonym Study

See amuse.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“It’s this sort of mentality where you don’t even entertain the possibility of you not being completely, 100% fabulous.”

From

Until then, “Last Movie” will serve as a plenty entertaining introduction to the duo.

From

The moment to take tiki-taka to task: "If they're going to play to entertain, I will make sure nobody has any fun ever again."

From

“We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can.”

From

It was scary but also dramatic and entertaining for the kids who had no way of knowing what the intense Santa Ana winds were capable of.

From

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