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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Entertain: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：amuse (entertain)

entertain 🔊

/ˌen.təˈteɪn/

To make people laugh, smile or feel happy by doing something fun like telling jokes or performing.

Entertain meaning illustrated by a comedian performing for a laughing audience.

amuse 🔊

➕

/əˈmjuːz/

This meaning refers to the act of providing enjoyment, fun, or pleasure to others, often through performances, activities, or social interaction.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'intertenere': 'inter-' (among) + 'tenere' (to hold) = to hold together, maintain.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a party host who holds attention ('ten' from tenere) among guests ('inter') — they entertain!

📖 Example

At the family gathering, my uncle tried to entertain everyone with his funny stories and impressions. 🔊 He attempted to amuse and please the family members.

🔗 Collocations

entertain guests – to host and provide amusement for visitors

entertain an audience – to perform for and engage a group of spectators or listeners

entertain children – to engage kids in fun and enjoyable activities

🔄 Synonyms

amuse (v.) – to cause someone to laugh or smile; to provide enjoyment

delight (v.) – to please someone greatly

divert (v.) – to distract someone with something enjoyable

🚫 Antonyms

bore (v.) – to cause someone to feel weary and uninterested

depress (v.) – to make someone feel sad and dispirited

🌱 Derivatives

entertainment (n.) – the act of providing or the things that provide amusement or enjoyment

entertainer (n.) – a person whose job is to entertain others, such as a singer or comedian

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'intertenere'. Entered English via Old French 'entretenir'. Initially meant 'to maintain' or 'to keep up'. The meaning evolved to include 'to receive as a guest' and later, 'to amuse' or 'to consider'.

Meaning 2：consider (entertain)

entertain 🔊

/ˌen.təˈteɪn/

To have a thought or an idea in your mind, to consider something as a possibility, even if you're not sure about it yet.

consider 🔊

➕

/kənˈsɪd.ər/

This meaning refers to the mental act of holding an idea in your mind and giving it thought, often without fully accepting or rejecting it.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Although it seemed risky, the manager was willing to entertain the idea of trying the new software. 🔊 The manager was open to thinking about and evaluating the proposal.

🔗 Collocations

entertain an idea – to give consideration to a thought or proposal

entertain a thought – to allow a notion to occupy one's mind

entertain a possibility – to regard an outcome as feasible and worth thinking about

🔄 Synonyms

consider (v.) – to think carefully about something

contemplate (v.) – to look at or consider something thoughtfully

ponder (v.) – to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision

🚫 Antonyms

reject (v.) – to dismiss as inadequate, unacceptable, or faulty

dismiss (v.) – to decide that something or someone is not worth serious consideration