entertain

entertainverb

To entertain is to receive someone or something and give them attention: an audience you give pleasure to, guests in your home, or an idea you are willing to think about.

1. amusekeep people interested and give them pleasure, for example by telling stories or performing

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • The clown entertained the children for an hour. V + obj
   • The band entertained the crowd for two hours. V + obj
   • The show aims to teach as well as entertain.

   Collocations

   verb + noun entertain an audience, entertain the crowd, entertain children

   phrase keep someone entertained

   Synonyms amuse

2. have guestshave people as guests in your home, usually giving them food and drink

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • We don't entertain much these days.
   • They often entertain friends at home. V + obj
   • She loves entertaining and cooking for large groups.

   Collocations

   verb + noun entertain guests, entertain friends, entertain visitors

3. considerbe willing to think about an idea or accept it as possible

   Often used with a negative: refuse to entertain, would not entertain.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] formal

   • He refused to entertain the idea of selling the house. V + obj
   • She had once entertained hopes of becoming a singer. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun entertain an idea, entertain a possibility, entertain hopes, entertain doubts

   Synonyms consider