Nearby Words
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.
Related forms
a·mus·a·ble, adjective
a·mus·er, noun
un·a·mus·a·ble, adjective
un·a·mus·a·b·ly, adverb
Synonyms
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.
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.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Amuse
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is yaff. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to bark; yelp. |
Example Sentences
- But two detectives who amuse themselves with such loose strings thought something of the yellowing file.
- If you want to amuse me, though, you'll put a nickname in your signature.
- They play games to amuse themselves and possibly to lure women.
Collins
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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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
amuse
late 15c., from M.Fr. amuser "divert, cause to muse," from a "at, to" (but here probably a causal prefix) + muser "ponder, stare fixedly." Sense of "divert from serious business, tickle the fancy of" is recorded from 1630s, but through 18c. the primary meaning was "deceive, cheat" by first occupying
EXPANDthe attention. Bemuse retains more of the original meaning.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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