entertainment
entertainment
Pronunciation
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
en-: /ˌɛn/
/ˌɛ/ - as in "bet"
/n/ - as in "no"
ter-: /tər/
/t/ - as in "top"
/ər/ - as in "bird" (often a reduced vowel sound)
tain-: /teɪn/
/t/ - as in "top"
/eɪ/ - as in "say"
/n/ - as in "no"
ment: /mənt/
/m/ - as in "man"
/ə/ - as in "about" (schwa sound)
/n/ - as in "no"
/t/ - as in "top"
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: entertainment
Plural: entertainments (less common, but can refer to multiple types of entertainment)
Verb:
Base form: entertain
Third-person singular present: entertains
Present participle: entertaining
Past simple: entertained
Past participle: entertained
Adjective: entertaining
Adverb: entertainingly
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The act or process of providing amusement, pleasure, or diversion, often through performances, activities, or media designed to engage an audience's interest.
Synonyms: amusement, recreation, diversion, leisure, pleasure, fun, pastime, sport
Antonyms: boredom, tedium, monotony, dullness, work, chore
Definition 2: Something that provides amusement or diversion; a form of spectacle, show, or activity specifically created to entertain.
Synonyms: show, performance, spectacle, exhibit, attraction, pastime, game, hobby
Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as this refers to the thing itself rather than a state)
Verb (entertain)
Definition 1: To provide someone with amusement or enjoyment.
Synonyms: amuse, delight, please, divert, occupy, engross, charm, enthrall
Antonyms: bore, weary, displease, annoy, tire, irritate, dull
Definition 2: To consider an idea or suggestion; to give thought to something.
Synonyms: consider, ponder, contemplate, harbor, hold, nurture, mull over
Antonyms: reject, dismiss, disregard, repudiate, abandon, discard
Adjective (entertaining)
Definition: Providing amusement or enjoyment; engaging and diverting.
Synonyms: amusing, enjoyable, delightful, pleasing, diverting, fascinating, captivating, engaging, fun
Antonyms: boring, tedious, dull, uninteresting, tiresome, unamusing, drab
Adverb (entertainingly)
Definition: In a way that provides amusement or enjoyment.
Synonyms: amusingly, delightfully, pleasurably, divertingly, engagingly, fascinatingly
Antonyms: boringly, tediously, dully, uninterestingly, tiresomely
Examples of Use
Books:
"The success of a fantasy novel often hinges on its ability to create immersive worlds that provide hours of escape and entertainment for readers." (From a literary analysis, June 2023)
"In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams masterfully blends science fiction with absurdist humor, offering a unique brand of entertainment." (From a book review, September 2021)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved funding for a new public park, which will include facilities for various forms of outdoor entertainment." (Daily Nation, March 2024)
"Local businesses reported a surge in revenue over the holiday weekend, largely due to increased spending on dining and entertainment." (The Standard, December 2023)
Online Publications:
"Netflix announced its latest quarterly earnings, highlighting the continued growth in its global entertainment streaming subscriptions." (TechCrunch, April 2024)
"Our guide to summer festivals features a diverse range of entertainment options, from live music to food trucks and interactive art installations." (Lonely Planet online, May 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Universal Pictures' latest blockbuster promises thrilling action and stunning visuals, making it a must-see for fans of cinematic entertainment." (Movie trailer narration, July 2024)
Television: "This new reality show aims to provide family-friendly entertainment with its wholesome challenges and relatable contestants." (TV guide description, January 2024)
Video Games: "The developers focused on creating a deep narrative and engaging gameplay mechanics to ensure hours of player entertainment." (Game review website, November 2023)
Music Streaming (e.g., Spotify): "Discover your next favorite song in our 'New Releases' playlist, curated for your listening entertainment." (Spotify app text, February 2024)
Social Media (e.g., TikTok/YouTube): "Short-form video content has become a dominant force in online entertainment, captivating millions with its quick, engaging clips." (Social media trend analysis, October 2023)
General Public Discourse:
"After a long week, all I really want is some light entertainment to help me unwind." (Casual conversation, June 2024)
"The local fair offers a great blend of rides, games, and live entertainment for all ages." (Community event announcement, August 2023)
"People often turn to entertainment as a way to escape from the stresses of daily life." (Discussion on mental well-being, April 2023)
10 Quotes Using Entertainment
"I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained." (Walt Disney)
"Politics is the entertainment branch of industry." (Frank Zappa)
"The sound and music are 50% of the entertainment in a movie." (George Lucas)
"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either." (Marshall McLuhan)
"The world is a stage, the stage is a world of entertainment." (Howard Dietz)
"Most of what passes for legitimate entertainment is inferior or foolish and only caters to or exploits people's weaknesses." (Unknown)
"Television is the box they buried entertainment in." (Bob Hope)
"We aren't in an information age, we are in an entertainment age." (Tony Robbins)
"Entertainment is there to improve people's quality of life. After your basic needs, there's entertainment." (Satoru Iwata)
"My job was to go out there and play the game of basketball as best I can and provide entertainment for everyone who wanted to watch basketball." (Michael Jordan)
Etymology
The word "entertainment" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes from the Old French word "entretenir," which basically meant "to hold together," "to maintain," or "to support." This was built from two Latin parts: "inter-" meaning "among" or "between," and "tenere" meaning "to hold."
So, initially, "entertain" (the verb form) meant things like:
To maintain or keep something in a certain condition. You might "entertain" a belief, meaning you hold it in your mind.
To show hospitality. When you "entertain" guests, you're essentially providing for their comfort and "holding" them in a pleasant state.
The noun "entertainment" followed a similar path. Its first known use in English was around 1475 (in the Middle English period). At that time, its meaning was often related to "provision for support" or "maintenance." Think of providing "entertainment" for a retainer, meaning you're providing for their upkeep or livelihood. It also had meanings related to "social behavior" or the "reception of guests."
Over time, the meaning shifted more specifically to what we understand today: providing amusement, pleasure, or diversion. This sense of "amusement" began to appear around the early 1600s, and the idea of "that which entertains" (like a performance or show) became common by the mid-1600s. So, the idea of "holding" someone's attention or mind for pleasure became the dominant meaning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Entertainment
For your entertainment: Used to introduce something intended to amuse or divert.
To entertain an idea/thought: To consider or give thought to a suggestion or possibility.
To entertain guests: To host and provide hospitality for visitors.
To be highly entertaining: To be very amusing and enjoyable.
Light entertainment: Forms of amusement that are easy to consume and not too serious.
Home entertainment system: Electronic devices (TV, stereo, etc.) used for amusement at home.
The entertainment industry: The collective businesses involved in providing amusement (film, music, games, etc.).
To entertain a notion: Similar to "entertain an idea," meaning to contemplate a concept.
A night of entertainment: An evening filled with various forms of amusement or performances.
Pure entertainment: Something that is solely for amusement, without a deeper message or purpose.
To be entertained by something: To find something amusing or diverting.
Food and entertainment: Often paired to refer to social gatherings or events.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of entertainment from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
