Entertain

[entə'teɪn] or [,ɛntɚ'ten]

Definition

(verb.) take into consideration, have in view; 'He entertained the notion of moving to South America'.

(verb.) provide entertainment for.

Typed by Enid--From WordNet

Definition

(v. t.) To be at the charges of; to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbor; to keep.

(v. t.) To give hospitable reception and maintenance to; to receive at one's board, or into one's house; to receive as a guest.

(v. t.) To engage the attention of agreeably; to amuse with that which makes the time pass pleasantly; to divert; as, to entertain friends with conversation, etc.

(v. t.) To give reception to; to receive, in general; to receive and take into consideration; to admit, treat, or make use of; as, to entertain a proposal.

(v. t.) To meet or encounter, as an enemy.

(v. t.) To keep, hold, or maintain in the mind with favor; to keep in the mind; to harbor; to cherish; as, to entertain sentiments.

(v. t.) To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.

(v. i.) To receive, or provide entertainment for, guests; as, he entertains generously.

(n.) Entertainment.

Editor: Priscilla

Synonyms and Synonymous

v. a. [1]. Lodge, treat hospitably, show hospitality to, receive as a guest.[2]. Feed, maintain, support.[3]. Hold, cherish, harbor.[4]. Take into consideration.[5]. Divert, amuse, please.

Editor: Whitney

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN:Harbor, maintain, conceive, foster, receive, recreate, amuse

ANT:Eject, exclude, deny, debar, annoy, weary, bore, tire

Checker: Stella

Definition

v.t. to receive and treat hospitably: to hold the attention of and amuse by conversation: to amuse: to receive and take into consideration: to keep or hold in the mind: to harbour.—n. Entertain′er.—p.adj. Entertain′ing affording entertainment: amusing.—adv. Entertain′ingly.—n. Entertain′ment act of entertaining: hospitality at table: that which entertains: the provisions of the table: a banquet: amusement: a performance which delights.

Edited by Estelle