Meaning & use
entertain
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To amuse or interest someone, especially by a performance or activity.
Grammar: Takes an object: entertain the guests. Can also be used intransitively: a film that entertains.
Patterns
- entertain someone
- entertain an audience
The clowns entertained the children for hours.
She entertained us with stories about her travels.
The band entertained the crowd with a mix of old and new songs.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To have guests in your home and give them food, drink, and company.
Grammar: Can take an object (entertain guests) or be used without one (they love to entertain).
Patterns
- entertain guests
- entertain friends
- entertain at home
They often entertain friends on weekends.
We don't entertain much because our apartment is small.
She entertained her colleagues with a dinner party.
verbtransitiveformal
To consider an idea, suggestion, or possibility seriously.
Grammar: Often used in negative sentences or questions: I wouldn't entertain that idea.
Patterns
- entertain an idea
- entertain a possibility
- entertain a suggestion
The manager refused to entertain the proposal.
I'm willing to entertain new ideas, but this one seems risky.
He entertained the possibility of moving abroad.
Word forms
| third person singular | entertains |
|---|---|
| past tense | entertained |
| past participle | entertained |
| -ing form | entertaining |
Common combinations
- entertain guests
- They hired a magician to entertain the guests at the party.
- entertain an idea
- She wouldn't entertain the idea of quitting her job.
- entertain the possibility
- We should entertain the possibility that the plan might fail.
- entertain someone with something
- He entertained the children with funny faces.
- entertain at home
- They enjoy entertaining at home on weekends.
Synonyms and how they differ
- amuse
- Focuses on making someone laugh or smile; entertain is broader and can include hosting guests.
- divert
- Suggests taking someone's attention away from worries; entertain often implies a planned performance or social event.
- consider
- A general word for thinking about something; entertain is more formal and often used with ideas or possibilities.
Opposites
Word family
- entertainer noun
- A person who performs to amuse others, such as a comedian or singer.
- entertaining adjective
- Amusing and enjoyable; e.g., an entertaining show.
- entertainment noun
- Shows, films, music, etc., that amuse people.
Practice
Choose the correct word: The host ___ the guests with a magic show.
Choose one answer.
The verb 'entertain' takes a direct object without a preposition: 'entertained the guests'. The other options add unnecessary prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “entertain”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.