entertain

Verb

1. (transitive) to amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably
2. (intransitive, transitive) to have someone over at one's home for a party or visit
3. (transitive) to receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind
4. (obsolete) to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep
5. (obsolete) to meet or encounter, as an enemy
6. (obsolete) to lead on; to bring along; to introduce
7. (India, Malaysia, Philippines, sometimes) to help; to assist; to answer a phone call

Noun

1. (obsolete, uncountable) Entertainment; pleasure.
2. (obsolete, uncountable) Reception of a guest; welcome.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌɛntəˈteɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: entertenen

Cognate with French: entretien

In summary

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.

Synonyms

amuse

treat

receive

divert

harbour

delight

feast

welcome

interest

nurse

host

hold

cherish

please

regale

behave

conduct oneself

gratify

greet

harbor

serve

satisfy

distract

beguile

make laugh

toy with

bear

🐻

think about

accept

🉑

tend

think of

play with

recreate

console

consider

act

comfort

pander

look after

maintain

flirt with

gladden

cheer up

accommodate

reception

joke

🤣

junket

nurture

think

🤔

make welcome

Translations

unterhalten

divertire

divertir

entretener

amuser

intrattenere

divertir

vermaken

divertir

entreter

amuseren

onderhouden

distraire

régaler

🧑‍🍳

amüsieren