entertaining

UK: /ˌɛntə^rˈteɪnɪŋ/ US: (en′tər tā′ning)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

en•ter•tain•ing  (en′tər tā′ning), adj. 

1. affording entertainment;
   amusing;
   diverting:
   We spent an entertaining evening at the theater.

• entertain + -ing² 1615–25

en′ter•tain′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

entertaining / ˌɛntəˈteɪnɪŋ/ adjective

1. serving to entertain or give pleasure; diverting; amusing

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

en•ter•tain /ˌɛntɚˈteɪn/   v. 

1. to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly or agreeably;
   amuse;
   divert: [~ + object]
   The film entertained us most of the afternoon.
   [no object]
   computer games that entertain as well as educate.
2. to show hospitality to: [~ + object]
   entertaining my parents for the weekend.
   [no object]
   We entertain on weekends.
3. to admit into or hold in the mind;
   consider:
   [~ + object] to entertain an idea.

See -tain-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

en•ter•tain  (en′tər tān′), v.t. 

1. to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably;
   divert;
   amuse.
2. to have as a guest;
   provide food, lodging, etc., for;
   show hospitality to.
3. to admit into the mind;
   consider:
   He never entertained such ideas.
4. to hold in the mind;
   harbor;
   cherish:
   They secretly entertained thoughts of revenge.
5. [Archaic.] to maintain or keep up.
6. [Obs.] to give admittance or reception to;
   receive.

v.i. 

7. to exercise hospitality;
   entertain company;
   provide entertainment for guests:
   They loved to talk, dance, and entertain.

• Middle French entretenir Vulgar Latin *intertenēre, equivalent. to Latin inter- inter- + tenēre to hold
• late Middle English entertenen to hold mutually 1425–75

Synonyms

• 1. beguile, regale. See amuse. 

Antonyms

• 1. bore.
• 3. reject.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

entertain / ˌɛntəˈteɪn/ verb

1. to provide amusement for (a person or audience)
2. to show hospitality to (guests)
3. (transitive) to hold in the mind: to entertain an idea

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French entretenir, from entre- mutually + tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre