entertain
gb/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/ us/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/
B1
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
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.
Usage pattern:
to entertain [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'entertain' with 'maintain' because of similar spelling, but they have unrelated meanings.
Synonyms
amuse (Focuses more on causing laughter or lighthearted pleasure.)
|
delight (Emphasizes giving great pleasure rather than just amusement.)
Antonyms
bore (Causing someone to feel uninterested or tired instead of amused.)
Collocations
entertain guests
|entertain children
|entertain an audience
|entertain at parties
Themes
daily life
|arts
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- 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.
Usage pattern:
to entertain [guests/friends]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'entertain' here means only 'to amuse', but in this sense it includes hosting and hospitality.
Synonyms
host (More general; does not necessarily involve amusement but can include it.)
Antonyms
avoid guests (Choosing not to have people over or interact socially.)
Collocations
entertain guests
|entertain clients
|entertain at home
Themes
daily life
|social
|daily_life
|food_drink
|relationships
Examples
- We love to entertain friends on Saturday evenings.
- They entertained important clients in a private dining room.
- She enjoys entertaining at her country house.
Learner examples
- 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.
Usage pattern:
to entertain [an idea/proposal]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'amuse', but here it relates to thinking about ideas, not giving enjoyment.
Synonyms
consider (The most common equivalent; slightly less formal than 'entertain' in this sense.)
|
contemplate (Implies deeper and more prolonged thinking than 'entertain'.)
Antonyms
dismiss (To refuse to consider something at all.)
Collocations
entertain the thought
|entertain a proposal
|entertain a suggestion
Themes
thinking
|business
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- I will entertain your idea before I decide.
- She entertained the thought of changing jobs.
- We cannot entertain such a plan now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
entertain
IPA
GB/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/
US/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
en - ter - tain (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: entertain
- 3rd Person Singular: entertains
- Present Participle: entertaining
- Past: entertained
Word family
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
Expressions
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.
Examples
- 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.
Examples
- 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.
Examples
- He began to entertain thoughts of retirement.
- She entertained thoughts of moving abroad for work.