Englisch

entertain

gb/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/ us/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/
B1 Englisch
~ 4900
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
Verb B1 action
1

to amuse or give enjoyment

To make someone happy or interested by giving them fun or enjoyable things to do or watch.

Verwendungsmuster: to entertain [someone]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners sometimes confuse 'entertain' with 'maintain' because of similar spelling, but they have unrelated meanings.
Synonyme
amuse (Focuses more on causing laughter or lighthearted pleasure.) | delight (Emphasizes giving great pleasure rather than just amusement.)
Antonyme
bore (Causing someone to feel uninterested or tired instead of amused.)
Wortverbindungen
entertain guests |entertain children |entertain an audience |entertain at parties
Themen
daily life |arts |emotions |arts_entertainment |daily_life
Beispiele
  • The comedian was hired to entertain the crowd during the festival.
  • She loves to entertain friends with stories from her travels.
  • The magician entertained the children with amazing tricks.
  • The cruise ship offers shows to entertain passengers every night.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • The singer will entertain the people in the park.
  • He can entertain the kids with his magic tricks.
  • They entertain guests every weekend at their home.
  • The clown entertains the children at the party.
Verb B1 action
2

to host guests socially

To have people in your home and give them food, drinks, and things to do.

Verwendungsmuster: to entertain [guests/friends]
Häufiger Fehler:
Some learners think 'entertain' here means only 'to amuse', but in this sense it includes hosting and hospitality.
Synonyme
host (More general; does not necessarily involve amusement but can include it.)
Antonyme
avoid guests (Choosing not to have people over or interact socially.)
Wortverbindungen
entertain guests |entertain clients |entertain at home
Themen
daily life |social |daily_life |food_drink |relationships
Beispiele
  • We love to entertain friends on Saturday evenings.
  • They entertained important clients in a private dining room.
  • She enjoys entertaining at her country house.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • I like to entertain my family at my home.
  • They entertain friends every month.
  • We will entertain our neighbors next week.
Verb formal B2 action
3

to seriously consider something

To think about an idea or plan carefully before deciding.

Verwendungsmuster: to entertain [an idea/proposal]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'amuse', but here it relates to thinking about ideas, not giving enjoyment.
Synonyme
consider (The most common equivalent; slightly less formal than 'entertain' in this sense.) | contemplate (Implies deeper and more prolonged thinking than 'entertain'.)
Antonyme
dismiss (To refuse to consider something at all.)
Wortverbindungen
entertain the thought |entertain a proposal |entertain a suggestion
Themen
thinking |business |communication |education |core_vocabulary
Beispiele
  • The committee refused to entertain the proposal without further evidence.
  • I briefly entertained the thought of moving abroad.
  • They will entertain offers until the end of the month.
Beispiele für Lernende
  • I will entertain your idea before I decide.
  • She entertained the thought of changing jobs.
  • We cannot entertain such a plan now.
Grammatik
Grundform
entertain
IPA
GB/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/
US/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/
Silben & Betonung
en - ter - tain (3 Silben)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Wortformen
Verb
  • Base: entertain
  • 3rd Person Singular: entertains
  • Present Participle: entertaining
  • Past: entertained
Wortfamilie
Forms
entertains verb entertaining verb entertained verb
Core family
entertainment noun A2 entertainer noun B1
Related words
entertainingly adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unentertaining adjective
Ausdrücke

entertain guests

1
/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn ɡˈɛsts/
fixed phrase

to host people socially at home or an event

To have people in your home and give them food, drinks, and things to do.

Beispiele
  • We often entertain guests during the holidays.
  • She loves to entertain guests with homemade meals.

entertain the idea

1
/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn ðə aɪdˈiə/
fixed phrase

to consider a possibility or plan

To think about a possible plan or action for a short time before deciding.

Beispiele
  • I have never entertained the idea of quitting my job.
  • They entertained the idea of starting their own company.

entertain thoughts of [something]

1
/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn θˈɔts əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase formal

to think seriously about something possible

To think carefully about doing something, even if you are not sure yet.

Beispiele
  • He began to entertain thoughts of retirement.
  • She entertained thoughts of moving abroad for work.

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