amuse

[ uh-myooz ]
/ əˈmyuz /

verb (used with object), a·mused, a·mus·ing.

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

Origin of amuse

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

SYNONYMS FOR amuse

1 please, charm, cheer.

synonym study for amuse

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.

usage note for amuse

See bemuse.

OTHER WORDS FROM amuse

a·mus·a·ble, adjective a·mus·er, noun un·a·mus·a·ble, adjective un·a·mus·a·bly, adverb

Words nearby amuse

amur, amur cork tree, amur privet, amurca, amusable, amuse, amuse-bouche, amuse-gueule, amused, amusement, amusement arcade

Example sentences from the Web for amusable

  • Two's always company for such a pair—the amusing one and the amusable!

    Trilby |George Du Maurier

  • She is wasted and thrown away upon such as are neither amusing nor amusable.

    The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 6 |Various

British Dictionary definitions for amusable (1 of 2)

amusable

amuseable

/ (əˈmjuːzəbəl) /

adjective

capable of being amused

British Dictionary definitions for amusable (2 of 2)

amuse
/ (əˈmjuːz) /

verb (tr)

to keep pleasantly occupied; entertain; divert
to cause to laugh or smile

Word Origin for amuse

C15: from Old French amuser to cause to be idle, from muser to muse 1