Entertainment
ˌɛntərˈteɪnmənt
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of entertaining, or the state of being entertained. It includes performances, events, or activities that provide amusement, enjoyment, or diversion.
ˌɛntərˈteɪnmənt
The action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment.
The theme park provides family entertainment.
💡 Simply: Entertainment is like going to a movie or a concert – anything fun that keeps you from being bored and makes you happy!
👶 For kids: Something that's fun and makes you happy, like watching TV or playing games.
More Examples
The festival offered a variety of entertainment, including live music and street performers.
The cruise ship offered a range of entertainment options for passengers.
How It's Used
"The movie provided excellent entertainment."
"The company invested heavily in entertainment for their clients."
"Live music is a form of entertainment."
A performance, event, or activity designed to amuse and engage the audience.
ˌɛntərˈteɪnmənt
Something that provides amusement or enjoyment.
Television is a common form of entertainment.
💡 Simply: It can also mean the fun things themselves! Like, "That movie was great entertainment!"
👶 For kids: The fun things you watch or do, like cartoons or playing with toys.
More Examples
The circus provided lively entertainment for the children.
The concert was a memorable entertainment experience.
How It's Used
"The film was a form of mass entertainment."
"The hotel offers various entertainment options, such as a pool and a game room."
"The politician's speech was criticized as mere entertainment."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
bread and circuses
A superficial means of appeasement, in which a government attempts to distract the public from the more important issues by providing entertainment and basic necessities.
"The emperor used bread and circuses to keep the population happy and distracted from political problems."
From Old French *entretenir* (to maintain, to amuse) + -ment (suffix indicating an action or state). The word's meaning evolved from 'to maintain' to 'to amuse' or 'to provide enjoyment'.
The term has been used for centuries, evolving from a broader concept of providing support to the current meaning of amusement and recreation. Early uses often related to royal courts and public events.
Memory tip
Think of an entertainer providing amusement.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: Entretenir