verb
entertain
To provide enjoyment or pleasant company for someone.
The host entertains two guests with a playful hand-puppet performance.
Etymology
The French verb means to maintain or keep up. Entertaining developed through sustaining someone’s company or attention, then focused on doing so pleasantly.
In context
it is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it
More examples
- Her stories entertain us during the long drive.
- We entertain friends at home most weekends.
- The children entertained themselves with a simple card game.
Forms
entertain · entertains · entertained · entertaining
entertainer noun — A person who performs to amuse others.
entertainment noun — Activities or performances that provide enjoyment.