Synonym Game

amusing

[uh-myoo-zing] Example Sentences Origin

a·mus·ing

[uh-myoo-zing]
adjective
1.
pleasantly entertaining or diverting: an amusing speaker.
2.
causing laughter or mirth; humorously entertaining: an amusing joke.

Origin:
1590–1600; amuse + -ing2

a·mus·ing·ly, adverb
a·mus·ing·ness, noun
qua·si-a·mus·ing, adjective
qua·si-a·mus·ing·ly, adverb
un·a·mus·ing, adjective
EXPAND
un·a·mus·ing·ly, adverb
un·a·mus·ing·ness, noun
COLLAPSE


1. charming, cheering, lively. 2. laughable, delightful, funny. Amusing, comical, droll describe that which causes mirth. That which is amusing is quietly humorous or funny in a gentle, good-humored way: The baby's attempts to talk were amusing. That which is comical causes laughter by being incongruous, witty, or ludicrous: His huge shoes made the clown look comical. Droll adds to comical the idea of strange or peculiar, and sometimes that of sly or waggish humor: the droll antics of a kitten; a droll imitation.

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Amusing is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Example Sentences
  • Sad, certainly, that they think this kind of gesture is amusing or funny.
  • Click through for the winners and some amusing visuals.
  • It's amusing to hear them make noises about how their cranky new widgets will soon allow them to model their quest.
EXPAND
Dictionary.com Unabridged

a·muse

[uh-myooz]
verb (used with object), a·mused, a·mus·ing.
1.
to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner: She amused the guests with witty conversation.
2.
to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in: The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.
3.
to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.
4.
Archaic. to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.
5.
Obsolete.
a.
to engross; absorb.
b.
to puzzle; distract.

Origin:
1470–80; < Middle French amuser to divert, amuse; see a-5, muse

a·mus·a·ble, adjective
a·mus·er, noun
un·a·mus·a·ble, adjective
un·a·mus·a·b·ly, adverb

amuse, bemuse (see synonym note at the current entry).


1. please, charm, cheer. Amuse, divert, entertain mean to occupy the attention with something pleasant. That which amuses is usually playful or humorous and pleases the fancy. Divert implies turning the attention from serious thoughts or pursuits to something light, amusing, or lively. That which entertains usually does so because of a plan or program that engages and holds the attention by being pleasing and sometimes instructive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To Amusing
Collins
World English Dictionary
amusing (əˈmjuːzɪŋ)
 
adj
mildly entertaining; pleasantly diverting; causing a smile or laugh
 
a'musingly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

amusing
c.1600, "cheating;" see amuse. Sense of "interesting" is from 1712; that of "pleasantly entertaining, tickling to the fancy" is from 1826. Noted late 1920s as a vogue word.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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