rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryamuseEntertain
verb

amuse

uh-MYOOZ/əˈmjuːz/

To entertain people or make them laugh or smile.

The bowing sock puppet amuses the younger woman.

An older woman entertains a younger woman by making a plain sock puppet bow; the younger woman laughs openly at the playful performance.
Etymology
aOld Frenchat, to; probably causing
+museOld Frenchto ponder, stare fixedly

With a- probably acting as a causative prefix, the original idea was making people ponder or stare, distracting their attention. That diversion could deceive, but later became pleasant entertainment.

In context

The 1928 Club202:42
Having no company to amuse him, and getting no chance of trying what his experience of women in distress could do towards comforting Miss Rachel, he wandered hither and thither about the house and gardens in an aimless uneasy way.
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins | Part 1: The Loss of the Diamond | Full Audiobook

More examples

  • His stories amused the guests.
  • The children are amusing themselves with a game.
  • The unexpected joke amused her.

Forms

amuse · amuses · amused · amusing

Similar words

entertain
Entertain need not cause laughter.
delight
Delight suggests greater pleasure or satisfaction.