entertain
pronunciation
How to pronounce entertain in British English:
UK [ˌentəˈteɪn]
How to pronounce entertain in American English:
US [ˌentərˈteɪn]
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- Verb:
- provide entertainment for
- take into consideration, have in view
- maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
Word Origin
- entertain (v.)
- late 15c., "to keep up, maintain, to keep (someone) in a certain frame of mind," from Middle French entretenir, from Old French entretenir "hold together, stick together, support" (12c.), from entre- "among" (from Latin inter; see inter-) + tenir "to hold" (from Latin tenere; see tenet). Sense of "have a guest" is late 15c.; that of "gratify, amuse" is 1620s. Meaning "to allow (something) to consideration, take into the mind" (of opinions, notions, etc.) is 1610s. Related: Entertained; entertaining.
Example
- 1. They use conversation to claim attention and to entertain .
- 2. You could entertain the person with an afterwork drink .
- 3. We 'll entertain a claim if it is supported by adequate documents .
- 4. The authorities will not entertain such radical ideas right now .
- 5. Now it seems hard times are also hitting the ability of the country 's mayors to entertain in style .