Amuse
/əˈmjuːz/
verbBeginner📊CommonAction
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase1 question
Definitions
1
To provide entertainment and enjoyment.
/əˈmjuːz/
verbpositiveBeginner
Action
To entertain or occupy someone in a pleasant way.
The comedian's jokes amused the crowd.
💡 Simply: To make someone laugh or happy.
More Examples
2
The playful kitten amused the family.
How It's Used
Casual Conversation
"The clown amused the children with his antics."
Literary
"The witty dialogue amused the audience."
Idioms & expressions
to be amused by something
To find something entertaining or humorous.
"I was amused by her funny story."
From Old French amuser "to entertain, divert", from a- "to" + user "to use, employ".
The word has been used in similar ways for centuries, focusing on lighthearted entertainment.
Memory tip
Think of 'a muse' inspiring you with fun things.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"to use, employ; to occupy (oneself)"
amused bygreatly amusedhighly amused
Common misspellings
amuseeamuseing
Practice
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written