amuse
to hold the attention of (someone) pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner: She amused the guests with witty conversation.
to cause mirth, laughter, or the like, in: The comedian amused the audience with a steady stream of jokes.
to cause (time, leisure, etc.) to pass agreeably.
Archaic. to keep in expectation by flattery, pretenses, etc.
Obsolete.
to engross; absorb.
to puzzle; distract.
Origin of amuse
1synonym study For amuse
confusables note For amuse
Other words for amuse
Other words from amuse
- a·mus·a·ble, adjective
- a·mus·er, noun
- un·a·mus·a·ble, adjective
- un·a·mus·a·bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use amuse in a sentence
The other over-vital brother, if a prime amuser, was also a prime tease, and being nearer Donald in age was also much less gentle.
A Student in Arms | Donald HankeyTrès gentille et très jolie, apprécia Boum, vous devez bien vous amuser avec elle.
Histoires grises | E. Edouard TavernierIndeed, he would seem to be chosen not so much as an instructor as an amuser of youth.
Three Men on the Bummel | Jerome K. JeromeYour manner, pour vous amuser, consists in standing on a crowded staircase, and complaining that you are terribly bored.
Pelham, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
British Dictionary definitions for amuse
/ (əˈmjuːz) /
to keep pleasantly occupied; entertain; divert
to cause to laugh or smile
Origin of amuse
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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