entertain
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to keep someone interested and happy by performing or telling stories.
to provide amusement or enjoyment to an audience through performance or storytelling.
Simple“The magician entertained the children with clever card tricks for an hour.”
In context“The street performer successfully entertained the passing crowds with a sophisticated blend of physical comedy and live music.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to have people at your home for a meal, a party, or a visit.
to receive and provide hospitality for guests, typically in a domestic or professional social setting.
Simple“They love to entertain friends with big dinners on the weekend.”
In context“The ambassador frequently entertains foreign dignitaries at his private residence to foster better diplomatic relations.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
to think about an idea, a suggestion, or a feeling.
to give serious thought or consideration to a proposal, idea, or feeling.
Simple“The boss refused to entertain the idea of working on Sundays.”
In context“The board of directors declined to entertain the merger proposal, citing significant concerns regarding the long-term stability of the partner firm.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
to help or assist a person, especially in a shop or on the phone.
to attend to or assist a customer or visitor; common in specific regional varieties of English.
Simple“The clerk will entertain your questions once she finishes with this customer.”
In context“The receptionist was busy entertaining several phone enquiries simultaneously while also managing the queue at the front desk.”
UsageCommon in Indian, Malaysian, and Philippine English.
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.