What does "amusement" mean?

1. (feeling of being entertained) the feeling you have when you find something funny or interesting. 2. (an entertaining activity) something that you do for fun or to pass the time. 3. (fairground rides) machines or games at a fair, like a roller coaster, that people pay to use.

How do you use "amusement"?

Often follows the preposition 'in' or 'with'. Commonly used in the plural form 'amusements'. Frequently appears in the compound 'amusement park'.

amusement

US //əmˈjuzmənt// UK //ɐmjˈuːsmənt// amuse·ment

1 feeling of being entertained (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the feeling you have when you find something funny or interesting.

the state or experience of finding something funny, entertaining, or pleasing. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

Example

She couldn't hide her amusement when the puppy started chasing its own tail.

Example

To his great amusement, the prestigious professor had accidentally worn two different shoes to the lecture.

Usage

Often follows the preposition 'in' or 'with'.
- enjoyment
- mirth
- delight
- boredom
- misery
2 an entertaining activity (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something that you do for fun or to pass the time.

a specific activity, game, or pastime that provides entertainment. Countable in this sense.

Example

The small town offered very few amusements for teenagers during the winter.

Example

The Victorian estate featured various outdoor amusements, including a croquet lawn and a private boating lake.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural form 'amusements'.
- chore
- duty

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3 fairground rides (n.)
B1 Intermediate

machines or games at a fair, like a roller coaster, that people pay to use.

mechanical devices or games found at fairs or parks designed for public entertainment.

Example

We spent the whole day at the amusement park trying every roller coaster.

Example

The seaside pier was packed with traditional amusements, from arcade machines to a vintage carousel.

Usage

Frequently appears in the compound 'amusement park'.
- rides
- attractions

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Old French a- Old French muser Old French amuser Middle French amuser Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-məntom Latin -mentum Old French -ment Middle French -ment Middle French amusementbor. English amusement Borrowed from Middle French amusement, from amuser + -ment. Morphologically amuse + -ment.