entertain

CEFRB1

/ˌɛntəˈteɪn/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To amuse people or provide enjoyment for them.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To have someone over at one's home, or some other venue, for a party or visit.

Examples

  • Now let me entertain you with music.

  • The aim of the series is both to entertain and inform.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˌɛ̃ɾ̃ɚˈtʰeɪn]

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind.

  2. to amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably

  3. To take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep.

More examples

In context

  • I cannot entertain such a request.

  • The motivational speaker not only instructed but also entertained the audience.

  • They enjoy entertaining a lot.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The clown's tricks will blank the children at the birthday party.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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”.