entertaining
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.funny, interesting, or enjoyable to watch or listen to.
adj.providing amusement or enjoyment; engaging the attention in an agreeable manner.
Simple“The movie was very entertaining and kept the whole family laughing.”
In context“The speaker delivered an entertaining keynote address, successfully blending rigorous data with humorous anecdotes to maintain the audience's interest.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.inviting people to your home and providing them with food and drink.
v.the act of receiving and providing hospitality to guests.
Simple“They spend most of their weekends entertaining friends at their new house.”
In context“Entertaining high-profile clients requires a delicate balance of professional networking and genuine hospitality in a relaxed setting.”
UsageOften used as a gerund or in continuous tenses.
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.thinking about an idea or a suggestion seriously.
v.giving attention or consideration to an idea, suggestion, or feeling.
Simple“The boss is entertaining the idea of letting us work from home.”
In context“The board is currently entertaining several merger proposals, though no official decision is expected until the next fiscal quarter.”
UsageUsually takes a direct object representing a thought or proposal.
SynonymsAntonyms
“The singing is actually a weak link in what is otherwise an unexpectedly entertaining film, with better than average animation and plenty of PG-approved sword-and-sandal battles.”
“Has any side ever managed to start a season in a less entertaining manner than this?” asks Richard Wilson.”
From entertain + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.