entertainer
gb/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/ us/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
role
1
professional performer who amuses
a person whose job is to perform and make people enjoy a show
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an entertainer
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse entertainer (a performer) with entertainer as an adjective; English usually uses entertaining for the adjective.
Synonyms
performer (More general; not necessarily humorous.)
|
showman (Emphasizes dramatic style and engaging an audience.)
Antonyms
bore (Someone who makes others feel uninterested rather than entertained.)
Collocations
a popular entertainer
|a well-known entertainer
|a live entertainer
|a nightclub entertainer
|a stage entertainer
|a radio entertainer
|a television entertainer
|a family entertainer
|a talented entertainer
|a crowd-pleasing entertainer
Themes
music
|arts
|media
|work
Examples
- She started out as a club singer and became a national entertainer.
- The awards ceremony featured several top entertainers.
- He’s a gifted entertainer who knows how to work a crowd.
Learner examples
- My uncle is an entertainer.
- The entertainer sang and told jokes.
Noun
B2
role
2
performer hired for an event
a performer you pay to entertain guests at an event
Usage pattern:
hire [an] entertainer (for [an event])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse entertainer (a person) with entertainment (the activity or things that amuse people).
Synonyms
act (Often refers to the performance itself, but can refer to the performer in booking contexts.)
|
performer (Neutral and broad; doesn’t imply a focus on amusement.)
Antonyms
guest (A person attending an event rather than performing at it.)
Collocations
hire an entertainer
|book an entertainer
|a party entertainer
|a wedding entertainer
|a corporate entertainer
|a children’s entertainer
|an entertainer for the evening
|a professional entertainer
|a local entertainer
|an entertainer on a budget
Themes
events
|work
|daily_life
Examples
- They booked an entertainer for the office holiday party.
- We hired a magician as the main entertainer for the reception.
- The hotel can arrange an entertainer for your event.
Learner examples
- We hired an entertainer for the party.
Noun
B2
role
3
person who keeps others amused
someone who is good at making guests have fun
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a great entertainer
Common mistake:
This meaning describes a person’s social skill, not their job; context usually makes this clear.
Synonyms
host (Focuses on receiving guests; may not imply being especially amusing.)
|
life of the party (Informal; emphasizes being the center of fun and attention.)
Antonyms
killjoy (Someone who spoils others’ enjoyment in social situations.)
Collocations
a great entertainer
|a natural entertainer
|a born entertainer
|an entertaining host
|a wonderful dinner-party entertainer
|a brilliant entertainer
|a confident entertainer
|a generous entertainer
|an effortless entertainer
|an excellent entertainer of guests
Themes
relationships
|social_life
Examples
- He’s not a professional performer, but he’s a wonderful entertainer at dinner parties.
- As an entertainer, she makes sure no one feels left out.
- My grandmother was a natural entertainer who could make anyone laugh.
Learner examples
- She is a great entertainer when friends visit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
entertainer
IPA
GB/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
US/ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
Syllables & stress
en - ter - tain - er (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: entertainer
- Plural: entertainers
Word family
Forms
entertainers
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unentertaining
adjective
Advanced or less common
entertainingly
adverb
Expressions
all-round entertainer
1/ˈɔl ɹˈaʊnd ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
versatile performer in many styles
a performer who can do many different kinds of acts
Examples
- He’s an all-round entertainer who can sing, dance, and host.
- The show needs an all-round entertainer, not just a singer.
born entertainer
1/bˈɔɹn ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
naturally good at entertaining
someone who is naturally good at making people enjoy themselves
Examples
- Even as a child, he was a born entertainer.
- Give her a microphone and she turns into a born entertainer.
children's entertainer
1/t͡ʃˈɪldɹənz ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
performer for children's events
a performer who entertains children at parties or events
Examples
- They hired a children's entertainer for the sixth birthday party.
- As a children's entertainer, she does magic tricks and balloon animals.
cruise-ship entertainer
1/kɹˈuz ʃˈɪp ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
performer on a cruise ship
a performer who works on a cruise ship
Examples
- She worked as a cruise-ship entertainer after college.
- Cruise-ship entertainers often perform multiple shows a week.
guest entertainer
1/ɡˈɛst ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
invited performer on a program
a performer who is invited for a special appearance
Examples
- A famous singer joined the tour as a guest entertainer.
- Tonight’s show features a guest entertainer from New York.
party entertainer
1/pˈɑɹti ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
performer hired for a party
a performer you pay to entertain at a party
Examples
- We booked a party entertainer to do stand-up and music.
- The venue can recommend a party entertainer if you need one.
resident entertainer
1/ɹˈɛzɪdənt ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
regular performer at a venue
a performer who works regularly in one place
Examples
- He became the resident entertainer at the hotel lounge.
- The casino’s resident entertainer performs every weekend.
street entertainer
1/stɹˈit ˌɛntɚtˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
public performer in the street
a performer who plays or acts in the street for money
Examples
- A street entertainer drew a crowd with juggling and fire tricks.
- The city issues permits to street entertainers in the main square.