a most entertaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a most entertaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is very entertaining or enjoyable, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The play was a most entertaining experience, leaving the audience in fits of laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Please join me in thanking Ian for a most entertaining and instructive presentation.

The Guardian - Books

A regrettably thin crowd went to Goodison Park, Liverpool, on Saturday to see two fine teams play a most entertaining match for the King's Jubilee Trust Fund.

The Guardian - Sport

The radical feminist writer and academic Joanna Russ, who has died after a stroke aged 74, was a unique, seminal thinker as well as a most entertaining and challenging science-fiction novelist.

The Guardian - Books

A glance at the country's recent World Cup history shows that Les Bleus have developed a most entertaining kind of balance, whereby displays of wonderful beauty are followed by fits of monumental farce.

The Guardian - Sport

Peace and his publishers were successfully sued by Johnny Giles, a leading victim in the travesty of reality which the author worked in his hugely acclaimed treatment of Brian Clough's brief, ill-starred reign at Leeds United, and some said the Irishman was wrong to halt the production of a most entertaining and skilled piece of "faction" and cause the junking of many copies.

Independent

Linnaeus once spent a summer helping her organize her collections at the Drottningholm Palace outside Stockholm, and she wrote about the experience to her mother: "He is a most entertaining person, who has the esprit of the high society without carrying its manners, and who for these two reasons amuses me beyond words...

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In terms of sheer goals, Serie A was the most entertaining of Europe's top leagues in 2014-15 with a higher goals-per-game rate than La Liga, the Premier League and the Bundesliga.

The Guardian - Sport

It buys not only five courses but also a ticket to the most entertaining part of the evening, a cheese tasting with a lecture on Mr. Harary's dazzling cast of fresh, mostly French cheeses.

The New York Times

If there were an Emmy for most entertaining and informative voice-over, the USA spy thriller would win it.

Los Angeles Times

Few will have fully comprehended the drama unfolding at San Siro, where the Brazilian's jaw-dropping strike from outside the box provided a fitting conclusion to Serie A's barmiest and most entertaining fixture of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a passage in the most entertaining investment book ever written - Reminiscences of a Stock Operator - in which the narrator, a barely disguised Jesse Livermore, tells of "old Partridge", a fatherly figure who is the recipient of tips and bad luck stories from the suckers and semi-insiders who inhabit the local stockbroking office.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a most entertaining", consider the formality of the context. It fits well in literary analyses, historical accounts, or situations where a touch of elegance is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "a most entertaining" in everyday conversation or casual writing. Its formal tone can sound unnatural or pretentious in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a most entertaining" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to describe something as being very enjoyable or amusing. For example: a most entertaining presentation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a most entertaining" is an adjective phrase used to describe something as highly enjoyable or amusing. As Ludwig AI indicates, this expression is grammatically correct and well-suited for formal contexts like literary analyses or historical accounts. While less common in casual conversation, alternatives such as "very amusing" or "highly enjoyable" can be used to similar effect. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, reinforcing its formal register. Overall, it's a valuable expression to have in one's vocabulary for when a touch of elegance is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very amusing

This alternative replaces "most entertaining" with a more direct adjective, "amusing", intensifying it with "very".

highly enjoyable

This option uses "enjoyable" as a substitute, emphasizing the pleasant aspect of the experience and is amplified by "highly".

extremely captivating

Captivating highlights the engaging quality, with "extremely" adding intensity, shifting the focus slightly from pure entertainment to engagement.

remarkably delightful

This phrase replaces "entertaining" with "delightful", stressing the pleasing nature and enhanced by "remarkably".

quite diverting

"Diverting" suggests something that distracts in a pleasant way, "quite" indicates a notable degree of diversion.

thoroughly pleasing

"Pleasing" indicates satisfaction, while "thoroughly" intensifies the level of satisfaction derived.

genuinely amusing

Using "genuinely" emphasizes the authenticity of the amusement derived from the subject.

exceptionally diverting

This alternative suggests the subject is unusually good at capturing and holding attention, making it stand out.

singularly pleasurable

"Pleasurable" directly conveys enjoyment, and "singularly" underscores its unique or distinct quality.

decidedly agreeable

"Agreeable" indicates that something is to one's liking; "decidedly" reinforces this sentiment with certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "a most entertaining" in a sentence?

You can use "a most entertaining" to describe something you found highly enjoyable. For example, "The play was "a most entertaining" experience."

What are some alternatives to saying "a most entertaining"?

Alternatives include "very amusing", "highly enjoyable", or "extremely captivating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a most entertaining" formal or informal?

"A most entertaining" is considered a more formal expression. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "very fun" or "really enjoyable".

When is it appropriate to use "a most entertaining"?

It's suitable in contexts where a degree of formality or elegance is desired, such as literary reviews, formal presentations, or historical narratives. Ensure your audience and setting align with its tone.