Word
entertain
Phoneticsen·ter·tain, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɛnɝˈteɪn/
UK/ˌɛntətˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to amuse
B1 · Intermediate
v. to keep someone interested and happy by performing or telling stories.
v. to provide amusement or enjoyment to an audience through performance or storytelling.
“The magician entertained the children with clever card tricks for an hour.”
“The street performer successfully entertained the passing crowds with a sophisticated blend of physical comedy and live music.”
Antonyms
02to host guests
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to have people at your home for a meal, a party, or a visit.
v. to receive and provide hospitality for guests, typically in a domestic or professional social setting.
日本語:もてなす※
“They love to entertain friends with big dinners on the weekend.”
“The ambassador frequently entertains foreign dignitaries at his private residence to foster better diplomatic relations.”
03to consider an idea
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to think about an idea, a suggestion, or a feeling.
v. to give serious thought or consideration to a proposal, idea, or feeling.
日本語:抱く※
“The boss refused to entertain the idea of working on Sundays.”
“The board of directors declined to entertain the merger proposal, citing significant concerns regarding the long-term stability of the partner firm.”
Synonyms
04to help a customer
B2 · Upper Intermediate Dialect
v. to help or assist a person, especially in a shop or on the phone.
v. to attend to or assist a customer or visitor; common in specific regional varieties of English.
“The clerk will entertain your questions once she finishes with this customer.”
“The receptionist was busy entertaining several phone enquiries simultaneously while also managing the queue at the front desk.”
Usage
Common in Indian, Malaysian, and Philippine English.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “entertain” in context.
Verb
01. entertain lavishly
“The ambassador is known to entertain lavishly at his private residence.”
verb + adv
02. entertain regularly
“They love to entertain regularly, often hosting dinner parties for their neighbors.”
verb + adv
Noun
03. entertain children
“It can be difficult to entertain children on a long rainy afternoon.”
verb + noun
04. entertain crowd
“The street performer used magic tricks to entertain the crowd.”
verb + noun
05. entertain guest
“She spent the whole evening entertaining guests in the garden.”
verb + noun
06. entertain idea
“The committee refused to entertain the idea of a budget increase.”
verb + noun
07. entertain possibility
“We are now prepared to entertain the possibility of a merger.”
verb + noun
08. entertain thought
“I could not even entertain the thought of leaving my family behind.”
verb + noun
09. entertain a hope
“He still entertains a hope that they will eventually reconcile.”
10. entertain a motion
“The chair will not entertain a motion to adjourn at this time.”
11. keep the audience entertained
“The comedian worked hard to keep the audience entertained throughout the show.”
Etymology
From Middle English entertenen, from Middle French entretenir, from Old French entretenir, from entre (“among”) + tenir (“to hold”), from Latin inter + teneō (“hold, keep”). For the noun, compare French entretien. Sense of answering a phone call in Malaysian English is influenced by Malay layan “to serve, to attend to or engage with something”.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/entertain
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0