entertain

[en-ter-teyn] /ˌɛn tərˈteɪn/

verb (used with object)

to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.

to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to.

to admit into the mind; consider:

He never entertained such ideas.

to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish:

They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge.

Archaic. to maintain or keep up.

Obsolete. to give admittance or reception to; receive.

verb (used without object)

to exercise hospitality; entertain company; provide entertainment for guests:

They loved to talk, dance, and entertain.

Origin

1425-75; late Middle English entertenen to hold mutually < Middle French entretenir ≪ Vulgar Latin *intertenēre, equivalent to Latin inter- inter- + tenēre to hold

Related forms

overentertained, adjective

preentertain, verb (used with object)

unentertained, adjective

well-entertained, adjective

Synonyms

1. beguile, regale. See amuse.

Antonyms

1. bore. 3. reject.

Examples from the web for entertain

We are committed to presenting exhibits that will entertain and educate our local community and visitors from around the world.
But this destination offers more than concerts to entertain its weekend visitors.
Most writers try to amuse or entertain their correspondents.
The two-legged machines even dance during a halftime performance to entertain the crowd.
When it comes to trade, governments entertain no presumption that people might actually know for themselves what is best.
While skittish on land, they will entertain me for hours underwater.
There is something obnoxious, even, about the idea that some people should be paid to entertain themselves in this way.
It was a nondescript rear yard without a place to sit or entertain.
We'll go through and pick the best three entries based on how much they entertain us.
Ponies is replete with brilliant photographs and catchy content that will both teach and entertain.

British Dictionary definitions for entertain

entertain

/ˌɛntəˈteɪn/

verb

to provide amusement for (a person or audience)

to show hospitality to (guests)

(transitive) to hold in the mind: to entertain an idea

Word Origin

C15: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre

Word Origin and History for entertain

late 15c., "to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind," from Middle French entretenir (12c.), from Old French entretenir "hold together, stick together, support," from entre- "among" (from Latin inter; see inter-) + tenir "to hold" (from Latin tenere; see tenet).

Sense of "have a guest" is late 15c.; that of "amuse" is 1620s. Meaning "to allow (something) to consideration" (of opinions, notions, etc.) is 1610s. Related: Entertained; entertaining.

entertain in the Bible

Entertainments, "feasts," were sometimes connected with a public festival (Deut. 16:11, 14), and accompanied by offerings (1 Sam. 9:13), in token of alliances (Gen. 26:30); sometimes in connection with domestic or social events, as at the weaning of children (Gen. 21:8), at weddings (Gen. 29:22; John 2:1), on birth-days (Matt. 14:6), at the time of sheep-shearing (2 Sam. 13:23), and of vintage (Judg. 9:27), and at funerals (2 Sam. 3:35; Jer. 16:7). The guests were invited by servants (Prov. 9:3; Matt. 22:3), who assigned them their respective places (1 Sam. 9:22; Luke 14:8; Mark 12:39). Like portions were sent by the master to each guest (1 Sam. 1:4; 2 Sam. 6:19), except when special honour was intended, when the portion was increased (Gen. 43:34). The Israelites were forbidden to attend heathenish sacrificial entertainments (Ex. 34:15), because these were in honour of false gods, and because at such feast they would be liable to partake of unclean flesh (1 Cor. 10:28). In the entertainments common in apostolic times among the Gentiles were frequent "revellings," against which Christians were warned (Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21; 1 Pet. 4:3). (See BANQUET.)