amuse

UK: /əˈmjuːz/ US: /əˈmjuz/ ,(ə myo̅o̅z′)

Inflections of 'amuse' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

amuses

v 3rd person singular

amusing

v pres p

amused

v past

amused

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•muse /əˈmyuz/   v. [~ + object] , a•mused, a•mus•ing. 

1. to hold the attention of (someone);
   entertain or keep occupied:
   The video games amused the children for hours.
2. to cause (someone) to laugh, smile, or the like:
   The comedian's jokes amused everyone.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•muse  (ə myo̅o̅z′), v.t., a•mused, a•mus•ing. 

1. to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly;
   entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner:
   She amused the guests with witty conversation.
2. to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in:
   The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.
3. to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.
4. [Archaic.] to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.
5. [Obs.]
   • to engross;
     absorb.
   • to puzzle;
     distract.

• Middle French amuser to divert, amuse; see a-⁵, muse
• 1470–80

a•mus′a•ble, adj. 
a•mus′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. please, charm, cheer.
  Amuse, divert, entertain mean to occupy the attention with something pleasant. That which amuses is usually playful or humorous and pleases the fancy.
  Divert implies turning the attention from serious thoughts or pursuits to something light, amusing, or lively. That which entertains usually does so because of a plan or program that engages and holds the attention by being pleasing and sometimes instructive.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

amuse / əˈmjuːz/ verb (transitive)

1. to keep pleasantly occupied; entertain; divert
2. to cause to laugh or smile

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French amuser to cause to be idle, from muser to muse¹