amused

amused

---

Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /əˈmjuːzd/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed, as in "about")

• mused - /mjuːzd/ (as in "music" without the 'i', ending with 'z' sound and 'd' sound)

---

 Word Form Variations

Amused" is primarily used as an adjective (past participle of "amuse") and as the past tense/past participle form of the verb "amuse."

• Verb:

• Base form: amuse

• Third person singular present: amuses

• Present participle: amusing

• Past tense: amused

• Past participle: amused

• Adjective:

• Base form: amused

• Comparative: more amused

• Superlative: most amused

• Noun:

• Amusement (derived noun)

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adjective

1. Finding something funny or entertaining; pleasantly occupied by something diverting.

• Synonyms: entertained, diverted, delighted, pleased, tickled, entertained

• Antonyms: bored, uninterested, displeased, annoyed, serious, grave

2. Showing or expressing pleasure or gentle humor, often through a subtle smile or look.

• Synonyms: smiling, chuckling, gleeful, jocular, playful

• Antonyms: serious, solemn, grave, stern, grim

Verb (Past Tense / Past Participle of "amuse")

1. To provide someone with entertainment or enjoyment; to make someone laugh or smile.

• Example (Past Tense): "The clown amused the children with his tricks."

• Synonyms: entertained, diverted, delighted, cheered, gladdened, captivated

• Antonyms: bored, wearied, annoyed, vexed, displeased

2. To pleasantly occupy or divert one's attention, often in a lighthearted way.

• Example (Past Participle as part of a passive construction): "He was amused by the simple parlor games."

• Synonyms: occupied, engaged, distracted, diverted

• Antonyms: troubled, distressed, preoccupied

---

 Examples of Use

• Books:

• "She was rather amused than otherwise at the notion of the Miss Dashwoods ever marrying, and of their marrying well." (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811)

• Newspapers:

• "The President seemed slightly amused by the reporter's unconventional question during the press conference." (The Wall Street Journal)

• Online Publications:

• "Commenters were highly amused by the viral video of a cat attempting to play the piano, generating thousands of humorous replies." (Mashable.com)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "Are you amused, Caesar?" (Dialogue from the film Gladiator, 2000, spoken by Maximus to the emperor)

• "The comedian's dry wit left the audience thoroughly amused, with bursts of laughter throughout his set." (Stand-up comedy special review on YouTube)

• "I'm quite amused by how often this character finds himself in ridiculous situations." (Listener comment on a podcast discussion about a TV show)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I was amused by the dog's antics in the park today."

• "Her reaction to the surprise party was priceless; she was genuinely amused."

• "He looked somewhat amused by my clumsy attempt to dance."

• "We were greatly amused by the children's imaginative play."

---

---

10 Quotes Using Amused

1. "We are not amused." (Queen Victoria, widely attributed)

2. "Are you not amused? Is this not why you are here?" (Maximus in Gladiator, 2000)

3. "She was rather amused than otherwise at the notion of the Miss Dashwoods ever marrying, and of their marrying well." (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811)

4. "I'm not amused." (Common phrase in popular culture to express displeasure)

5. "The public is easily amused." (A cynical commentary, often heard in discussions of entertainment or media)

6. "He was amused by the sheer audacity of the plan." (A common descriptive phrase in fiction and discourse)

7. "I'm not easily amused, but that joke got a chuckle out of me." (Common conversational phrase)

8. "Life often presents absurdities designed to keep us, if nothing else, amused." (Original quote)

9. "If you can't be amused by life's ironies, you're missing half the fun." (Lesser-known motivational sentiment)

10. "She gave him an amused glance, a silent acknowledgment of his wit." (Descriptive phrase, common in narratives)

---

Etymology

The word "amused" comes from a French root and originally meant something quite different from just finding something funny.

It derives from the Old French word "amuser," which meant "to divert attention," "to beguile," or "to deceive." This original sense was more about distracting someone, perhaps to trick them or to make them forget their troubles. The "a-" prefix here means "to" and "muser" is related to "muzzle" or "gaze blankly," suggesting being held spellbound or distracted.

This Old French word then made its way into English, where its meaning gradually shifted.

The first known use of "amuse" in English, appearing in the 15th century, still carried this earlier sense of "to divert attention" or "to occupy (someone) idly." For example, you might "amuse" yourself by watching clouds, simply occupying your time without a specific purpose or necessarily finding it funny.

Over time, particularly by the 17th century, the meaning evolved to its current primary sense: "to entertain or to cause to laugh gently." The idea of diverting attention became specifically associated with doing so in a pleasant or humorous way. The past participle form "amused" then came to mean "pleasantly entertained or finding something funny."

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Amused

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "amused":

• Be not amused (a formal or royal expression of displeasure, popularized by Queen Victoria)

• Highly amused (finding something very funny or entertaining)

• Mildly amused (finding something slightly funny or interesting, often with a subtle reaction)

• Amused by (finding something entertaining or funny due to it)

• Keep oneself amused (to entertain oneself, often without external help)

• Amused silence (a pause indicating quiet amusement)

• Amused grin/chuckle/expression (facial expressions or sounds showing amusement)

• Easily amused (someone who finds humor or entertainment in simple things)

• The spectacle left him thoroughly entertained (using a synonym for "amused" for similar effect)

• Find diversion in (using a synonym, indicating finding entertainment)

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of amused from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---