entertain

entertain
[[t]e̱ntə(r)te͟ɪn[/t]]
♦♦♦
entertains, entertaining, entertained
1) VERB If a performer, performance, or activity entertains you, it amuses you, interests you, or gives you pleasure.

[V n] ...games and ideas to entertain children...

[V n] They were entertained by top singers, dancers and celebrities...

Children's television not only entertains but also teaches.

Derived words:
entertaining ADJ-GRADED

To generate new money the sport needs to be more entertaining...

This is a surprisingly entertaining film...

Miro is the most inventive and entertaining of surrealist painters.

2) VERB If you entertain people, you provide food and drink for them, for example by inviting them to your house.

[V n] I don't like to entertain guests anymore...

[V n] You weren't allowed to entertain men in your rooms even with a chaperone...

The Monroes continued to entertain extravagantly.

Derived words:
entertaining N-UNCOUNT

...a cosy area for entertaining and relaxing.

3) VERB If you entertain an idea or suggestion, you allow yourself to consider it as possible or as worth thinking about seriously. [FORMAL]

[V n] I feel how foolish I am to entertain doubts...

[V n] I wouldn't entertain the idea of such an unsociable job.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Entertain — En ter*tain , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Entertained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Entertaining}.] [F. entretenir; entre between (L. inter) + tenir to hold, L. tenere. See {Tenable}.] 1. To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one s service; to maintain; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • entertain — [v1] amuse absorb, beguile, captivate, charm, cheer, comfort, crack up*, delight, distract, divert, ecstasize, elate, engross, enliven, enthrall, gladden, grab, gratify, humor, indulge, inspire, inspirit, interest, knock dead*, make merry, occupy …   New thesaurus

  • entertain — [ent΄ər tān′] vt. [ME entretinen < OFr entretenir, to maintain, hold together < entre (L inter), between + tenir < L tenere, to hold: see THIN] 1. Archaic to keep up; maintain 2. to hold the interest of and give pleasure to; divert;… …   English World dictionary

  • Entertain — En ter*tain , v. i. To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Entertain — En ter*tain , n. [Cf. F. entretien, fr. entretenir.] Entertainment. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • entertain — index engage (involve), interest, occupy (engage), receive (permit to enter), treat (process) …   Law dictionary

  • entertain — UK US /ˌentəˈteɪn/ verb [I or T] ► to take customers or possible customers out to restaurants, bars, theatres, etc. as a way of encouraging them to do business with you: »Employees can use their expense accounts for entertaining a client …   Financial and business terms

  • entertain — late 15c., to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind, from M.Fr. entretenir (12c.), from O.Fr. entretenir hold together, stick together, support, from entre among (from L. inter; see INTER (Cf. inter )) + tenir to hold… …   Etymology dictionary

  • entertain — 1 *harbor, shelter, lodge, house, board Analogous words: *receive, admit: cultivate, cherish, foster (see NURSE): *feed, nourish 2 divert, *amuse, recreate Analogous words: * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • entertain — ► VERB 1) provide with amusement or enjoyment. 2) show hospitality to. 3) give attention or consideration to. ORIGIN originally in the sense «maintain, continue»: from French entretenir, from Latin tenere to hold …   English terms dictionary

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