Added 7 October 2026
entertain
/ˌɛntəˈteɪn/ verb
In Latin: remittor, oblectō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about entertain at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably.
to entertain friends with lively conversation
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To have someone over at one's home, or some other venue, for a party or visit.
They enjoy entertaining a lot.
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To receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind.
The committee would like to entertain the idea of reducing the budget figures.
noun
- Entertainment; pleasure.
- Reception of a guest; welcome.
Origin
From Middle English entertenen, from Middle French entretenir, from Old French entretenir, from entre (“among”) + tenir (“to hold”), from Latin inter + teneō (“hold, keep”). For the noun, compare French entretien. Sense of answering a phone call in Malaysian English is influenced by Malay layan “to serve, to attend to or engage with something”.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)