# entertain

Pronunciation: US say "en-ter-TAYN" /ˌɛntɚˈteɪn/; UK say "en-tuh-TAYN" /ˌɛntəˈteɪn/

## Verb

1. To amuse someone and hold their attention in an agreeable way.
   - Simple: To amuse someone and hold their interest in a fun way.
   - _A good host can entertain guests for hours without anyone noticing the time._
   - _The comedian entertained the audience until well past midnight._
2. To have people as guests in one's home for a party or social visit.
   - Simple: To have guests at your home for a visit or party.
   - _They love to entertain old friends with elaborate dinners._
   - _The couple entertains often, hosting people nearly every weekend._
3. To receive an idea or suggestion and give it serious consideration.
   - Simple: To think about an idea or offer carefully before deciding.
   - _The board will entertain offers from several buyers._
   - _He would not entertain the possibility that he was wrong._
4. To help or assist someone, or to answer an incoming phone call. *(India, Malaysia, Philippines)*
   - Simple: To help someone, or to answer a phone call.
   - _Support agents entertain hundreds of calls during peak hours._
   - _The teller entertained the next customer in line and processed her deposit._

## Verb

5. To take or keep someone in one's service; to maintain, support, or give shelter to. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To keep someone in your service, or to support and shelter them.
6. To meet or encounter an opponent, as in confronting an enemy in combat. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To meet or face an enemy in battle.
   - _The knights rode out to entertain the invading host._
   - _Our forces entertained the enemy upon the open plain._
7. To lead someone on, bring them along, or introduce them to a place or person. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To lead someone along or bring them in and introduce them.

## Noun

8. The reception or hospitable welcome given to a guest on their arrival. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The welcome and care a guest gets when arriving.
9. Entertainment or pleasure; the enjoyment derived from some diversion. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Fun or enjoyment, a good time.

## Origin

This comes through Middle English entertenen from Middle and Old French entretenir, formed from entre ("among") plus tenir ("to hold"), which trace back to Latin inter and teneō ("hold, keep"). The noun may be compared with French entretien.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/entertain (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).