# amused

/əmˈjuzd/ (US) · /ɐmjˈuːsd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/amused
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. finding something funny

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling that something is funny or makes you want to smile.

For teachers: experiencing or expressing a sense of humor or mild entertainment. Often used with the preposition 'by' or 'at'.

- She looked at the cat's silly face with an amused smile.
- The professor seemed quietly amused by the student's creative, if slightly inaccurate, explanation for the missing homework.

### 2. showing entertainment

adjective · CEFR B2

showing by your expression that you think something is funny.

For teachers: manifesting amusement through facial expressions or gestures.

- He gave her an amused look when she tried to dance.
- An amused glint in his eyes suggested that he was not nearly as offended by the remark as he pretended to be.

## Examples

- She looked amused by his silly joke.
- The teacher gave an amused smile when the student tried to explain why his homework was late.
- The audience remained politely amused throughout the first act, though the play's darker themes eventually shifted the mood from lighthearted laughter to somber reflection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
