amusement
- 01 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.
Simple“She couldn't hide her amusement when the puppy started chasing its own tail.”
In context“To his great amusement, the prestigious professor had accidentally worn two different shoes to the lecture.”
UsageOften follows the preposition 'in' or 'with'.
- 02 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.
Simple“The small town offered very few amusements for teenagers during the winter.”
In context“The Victorian estate featured various outdoor amusements, including a croquet lawn and a private boating lake.”
UsageCommonly used in the plural form 'amusements'.
Synonyms - 03 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.
Simple“We spent the whole day at the amusement park trying every roller coaster.”
In context“The seaside pier was packed with traditional amusements, from arcade machines to a vintage carousel.”
UsageFrequently appears in the compound 'amusement park'.
Synonyms
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.