entertainment
ehn-tuh-TAYN-muhnt
Entertainment (noun) means Activities or performances designed to amuse or interest an audience. Example: “The cruise ship offers live entertainment every night.”
noun
1
Activities or performances designed to amuse or interest an audience.
"The cruise ship offers live entertainment every night."
"The industry has changed a lot since the rise of streaming entertainment."
"The hotel provides plenty of entertainment for children, including magic shows and games."
How to use entertainment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything designed to amuse or interest people — shows, games, movies, and the like.
Common pairings
live entertainment
entertainment industry
source of entertainment
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Word forms
- Plural
- entertainments
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The cruise ship offers live _____ every night.
Etymology
From Middle English entretenement, from Old French entretenement, "support, maintenance"; related to "entertain."
Related words
Rhymes for entertainment
See all rhymes for entertainment →Frequently asked questions
What does “entertainment” mean?
The word “entertainment” means activities or performances designed to amuse or interest an audience. In plain terms, anything designed to amuse or interest people — shows, games, movies, and the like.
How do you pronounce “entertainment”?
“Entertainment” is pronounced ehn-tuh-TAYN-muhnt (/ˌɛn.tɚˈteɪn.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “entertainment” in a sentence?
Here is “entertainment” used in a sentence: “The cruise ship offers live entertainment every night.”
What part of speech is “entertainment”?
“Entertainment” is a noun.
Where does the word “entertainment” come from?
The word “entertainment” comes from Old French. From Middle English entretenement, from Old French entretenement, "support, maintenance"; related to "entertain.".
Is “entertainment” a common word?
“Entertainment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What are the different types of entertainment?
Entertainment comes in many forms: live performances like theatre, concerts, and comedy; screen-based options such as films, television, and streaming; music and dance; sports and gaming; and reading or storytelling. It can be public or private, live or recorded, and active or passive, but the aim is always to amuse or engage.
What is the difference between entertainment and amusement?
Entertainment usually refers to organised activities or performances put on for an audience, often by professionals. Amusement is the lighter feeling of being entertained, or a simple pleasant diversion. A concert is entertainment; the quiet enjoyment it gives you is amusement. Entertainment is the source, amusement the response it produces.
Why is entertainment important?
Entertainment offers relaxation, escape, and enjoyment, helping people unwind and recover from stress. It also brings people together, sparks conversation, and shapes culture through shared stories, music, and humour. Beyond pleasure, it supports a vast industry of performers and creators, and can inform or comment on society while it amuses.
What is an example of entertainment?
Watching a film, attending a live concert, going to a comedy show, playing video games, or streaming a television series are all everyday examples. So are reading a novel, visiting a theme park, or watching a sports match. Anything staged or created mainly to amuse and hold an audience's interest counts.
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